International Business

Western Oil Firms Enter Nigeria Pact: Shell Oil Co. and other companies signed an agreement with the Nigerian military government to invest in a $3.5-billion natural gas plant. Shell said it will not stop investing in the West African nation, despite international condemnation of the regime after the executions of playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other anti-government activists. Nigerian courts had convicted the activists in four killings. The men had insisted they were innocent and were framed to silence their criticism of the oil industry. Shell has said the Nigerian Liquefied National Gas project will help the environment in the oil-rich south because it will tap dangerous and polluting gas flares.