Diplomatic efforts continue

The government is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to obtain the release of Maltese oil worker George Scerri who was kidnapped in Nigeria last week, the government said yesterday.

The 62-year-old Maltese and a Pakistani were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Nigeria's main oil producing zone.

The men were abducted in Omoku, outside the main oil city Port Harcourt, as they were driving on their way to an oil rig.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg has been in direct contact with the Nigerian government on the matter and with Mr Scerri's family.

The government has also been in touch with Lonestar, the company which employs Mr Scerri.

The Lonestar drilling company is a major contractor to Shell Petroleum Nigeria, Agip and other oil firms in Nigeria and has been handling drilling services in the Niger Delta area since 1993.