The owners of the cargo vessel Siehem Peace are hopeful for the early release of their six crew members including an Indian,taken hostage by the Nigerias main militant group in the Niger Delta region. Eitzen Maritime Services (EMS),Singapore-based owners of the ship,in an email query from PTI yesterday on the state of the crew,said that companys professional advisors are engaged in a dialogue process with the hostage takers and hope for their safe release. Our professional advisors continue to be in dialogue with those holding our much valued seafarers and naturally we are hopeful for their early and safe release, Annette Malm Justad of EMS said. Their statement came against the backdrop of the release of a key Nigerian militant leader,Henry Okah,whose freedom the militants had said is essential for the liberty of the seafarers. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),countrys main militant group,had taken hostage Cadet Banjit Singh Dhindsa from India alongside five other foreign members of the chemical tanker earlier last week,about 20 nautical miles from Escravos. Joint Military Force (JTF),established by the Nigerian government to fight the militants,had rescued the vessel last Wednesday. However,the crew is still with the hostage takers MEND. The ship owners said they read with great interest the statements which are reported to have come from MEND on the situation regarding Okah and hostages held by that organisation. We also note that apparently the Nigerian Government is to allow Henry Okah to leave the country to obtain medical treatment, EMS stated. EMS said their thoughts continue to be with those being held hostage and for their families at this worrying time. In a similar statement made available to PTI earlier,MEND said they are happy that the charges against their leader has been dropped adding that they hope that he will be able to deal with his health,spend time with his family and revive his business. MEND considers this release as a step towards genuine peace and prosperity if Nigeria is open to frank talks and deal sincerely with the root issues once and for all. the statement said but no mention was made of the fate of the Sichem Peace crew.
