The Nigerian government has beefed up security at theoil-rich Delta region after the militant attack that shut down one of its mainoil-producing facilities. The government is assessing the losses from thedaring militant attack on the Bonga oil field, operated by RoyalDutch Shell. Officials say the country is losing about $100 milliondollars and 225,000 barrels of oil a day. They say the continuing attackshave resulted, in their words, in a massive bleeding of its revenuethat could have irreparable consequences on its economy.
Elochukwusays the maritime sector of the economy has been especially hard hit."This?ship piracy used to be part of the dangers or the challenges of in themaritime industry but of late the incidence of ship piracy has assumed a morefrightening dimension because they are now linked to the militant attacks, andso it has actually been threatening the existence or the sustenance of themaritime business as far as movement of cargo in and around Nigeria isconcerned."