/ 8 November 2000

UNREST SEES SHELL CUTS PRODUCTION

COMMUNITY unrest in southern Nigeria has prompted the Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell to declare force majeure and reduce deliveries from the Bonny oil terminal to 250 000 barrels per day (bpd). The force majeure was declared this week at the terminal in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, and it will continue through the end of the month. An official said the move was in response to repeated incidents of vandalism against oil pipelines by community youths demanding money, jobs and amenities. In the past year, attacks on oil and fuel pipelines have intensified in the Niger Delta region by restive and protesting youths as well as opportunists stealing fuel for resale. In July, more than 300 people were killed in Delta State following pipeline explosions as they were trying to steal fuel. – AFP