As crude oil price hits record high of 60 dollars a barrel, the Nigerian government-sponsored reconciliation talks between Shell and oil-rich Ogoni communities have also gone under threat Thursday, with the oil giant accused of undermining the initiative.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) alleged the Nigerian subsidiary of Shell, SPDC, was infiltrating the Ogoni communities in the name of "community development projects" by sending a so-called familiarization tour team at an " inappropriate" time.

Shell withdrew from Ogoni in 1993 following strained relations with the host communities. The military government at that time deployed troops in the area at the height of tension, which led to the execution of nine Ogoni rights activists including renowned playwright, Ken Saro Wiwa.

Last month, the Nigerian government inaugurated a committee in an attempt to reconcile the communities with the oil giant.

But MOSOP was appalled "as Shell makes undisguised attempts to divide Ogoni communities using the so-called community development projects as baits," it said in a statement.

"We consider this as an inappropriate consultation by Shell especially coming at a time when MOSOP is consulting communities on the ... reconciliation attempt," the group said.

"If Shell does not immediately put an end to her destabilization activities in Ogoni, our people will have no other option than to review our position," MOSOP said.

The group also said people acting on Shell's behalf were recruiting Ogoni youths to sign declarations inviting the company to resume oil operations in the region.

Shell, however, said the allegations were untrue and the company was fully committed to the government peace initiative.

Many communities in the southern Nigeria's Niger Delta have a stern relationship with the oil giants, especially Shell, accusing them of environmental degradation and not doing anything to develop the impoverished area.

Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer with a daily out of about 2.2 million barrels, while Shell accounts for half of the country's oil production.

Source: Xinhua