/ 9 April 2000

ENGEN BIDS FOR NIGRERIAN OIL PRODUCT

NIGERIA’S privatisation agency said on Thursday two oil companies, including South Africa’s Engen, have submitted bids for a controlling stake in oil products marketing company National Oil. Engen and a local firm, Petrochem International, have each tendered for 60% shares in National Oil. Engen has come in under Petrochem, offering 3.8 billion naira to Petrochem’s 5.7 billion naira for the same volume of shares. The total number of National Oil shares on offer include a 40% stake previously held by the Nigerian government and another 40% held by Royal Dutch/Shell. Of the total 80% on offer, 20% will be sold to the public on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.