ABUJA, Jan. 31 -- The Economic Community of West African States has said work will begin in 2003 on the long-awaited West African Gas Pipeline, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' news agency reports.

Chevron Nigeria Ltd. is taking a lead role in the project, which also includes Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., among others (OGJ, Oct. 11, 1999, p. 38).

The 600-km, 400 MMcfd line would link Lagos to Takoradi, Ghana, with supply points at Cotonou, Benin; Lome, Togo; and Tema, Ghana.

"Construction is planned to start in 2003. Currently, the parties are trying to reduce delays to ensure operation before the end of 2004," said a project report.

The meeting, convened under the framework of the New Partnership For Africa Development, also discussed the possibility of extending the line to Ivory Coast.

The Economic Community of West African States was established in 1975 and includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.