N'DJAMÉNA (November 18, 1997) - Mr. Dean Guttormson, the President of Esso Exploration and Production Chad, Inc., announced today that the consortium for which Esso is the operator will contribute approximately 50,000,000 CFA to support improved health care for residents of N'Djaména and Kome and to build a school in Doba.

Mr. Guttormson made the announcement in a speech at the Palais du 15 Janvier describing the latest phase of the Chad/Cameroon Development Project's public consultation program.

He noted that Esso and the consortium have made previous health and education contributions to communities in the South, in N'Djaména and in the North. "I am pleased today to be able to announce three additional contributions which will enhance communities and benefit the people," Guttormson said.

The following are the new gifts cited by Guttormson:

• 12,500,000 CFA to N'Djaména Hospital to purchase medical supplies for the Department operated by the Knights of Malta

• Approximately 17,500,000 CFA to build a medical dispensary in Kome to be operated by Bebedjia Hospital

• Approximately 20,500,000 CFA to build a new school in Doba.