Nigerian village women agree to end siege of oil terminal

Hundreds of Nigerian women occupying a ChevronTexaco oil terminal have agreed to end their eight-day siege.

The decision follows the company's offer to hire at least 25 villagers and to build schools, provide electricity, water systems, and other amenities.

But the women's representatives say they will wait until the verbal agreement is put in writing before they withdraw from the Escravos facility.

One of the protest leaders, Anunu Uwawah, said: "It is settled. We stay today, but once the paper is signed, we will leave."

ChevronTexaco executive, Dick Filgate, says he hopes the deal will be finalised as early as Tuesday.

The takeover has trapped hundreds of American, Canadian, British, Nigerian and other oil workers inside the facility.

It has also shut down the terminal, which exports half a million barrels of oil daily and accounts for the bulk of the company's Nigeria production.

Terms of Monday's deal include a promise by Chevron to build a town hall in Ugborodo - the largest of half a dozen villages with residents taking part in the all-woman protest.

Schools, electrical and water systems would also be built, with construction beginning in three weeks time, he said.

ChevronTexaco also agreed to hire at least "five men" a year over the next five years, "but I hope its more," he added. The jobs will include professional positions if qualified candidates can be found.