Congo oil production up 8.5 percent

By agencies

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo- The Republic of Congo’s oil production has passed 100 million barrels this year, an 8.5 percent increase over last year’s 93 million barrels, the country’s president said.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso said the government was developing new oil fields to grow production further to take advantage of high global oil prices to achieve economic growth to 7 percent.
Nguesso said: “The increase in our oil production and the sharp rise in oil prices on the global market partly explain why we’re optimistic about the current economic situation in the country.”
The president cautioned, however, that oil income would be used wisely to ensure continued growth.