/ 27 March 2000

SHELL STILL CAUTIOUS IN NIGERIA’S OGONILAND

ROYAL Dutch/Shell said on Monday it has no immediate plans for resuming oil production in Nigeria’s troubled Ogoniland. The main group representing the ethnic Ogoni said over the weekend it has given approval to Shell to re-enter Ogoniland seven years after the oil company pulled out from the tiny Niger Delta enclave after sabotage attacks on its facilities. A company spokesman said Shell is maintaining its community development projects in the area but isn’t resuming oil output. Meanwhile reports said several protestors have been injured and six arrested during demonstrations against a road project by Shell in the region.