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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Market Data E-Commerce Economy Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes Last Updated: Monday, 1 November, 2004, 07:16 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria strike call targets Shell The recent rise in fuel costs has caused unrest in Nigeria Nigeria's main trade union body has said it is planning a second general strike to protest at fuel price rises, warning it would target oil production. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the strike would start on 16 November. NLC leaders branded Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell an "enemy of the Nigerian people", and called for action against the company. News of the planned stoppage pushed up the price of crude oil in Asian trade on Monday to more than $52 a barrel. Shell accounts for about half of Nigeria's daily exports of 2.5 million barrels. The firm is not the source of the price rises, which stem from the Nigerian government's cuts to fuel subsidies. The price of US light, sweet crude oil, used by the oil industry as a benchmark, rose more than 50 cents on Monday, topping $52.25. It fell back from that high to trade at $51.95 by 0615 GMT. Target Adams Oshiomhole, leader of the NLC, told the BBC that this time the strike would be indefinite and total, and would affect both the production and export of crude oil. Shell has decided to side with the government to oppress our people and to mix themselves into Nigerian internal politics Adams Oshiomhole, NLC leader He accused Shell of taking legal action to prevent a white-collar oil union from joining the strike. Shell officials were unavailable for comment. The NLC also dismissed measures introduced by the government to help alleviate the impact of the increased fuel costs. A spokesman for the NLC said the government's actions fell well short of its call for a drop in petrol prices. Any block to Nigerian oil exports may inflate already high global prices. 'High tension' The NLC's last general strike over the fuel price rises ran from 11 October to 14 October, shutting down banks, businesses, shops and public services, but did not hit oil exports. Nigeria is the world's seventh biggest oil producer, and America's fifth most important supplier, making the country's ongoing labour unrest a cause for concern in the oil sector. The government "is showing pointed ingratitude to the men and women who have... toiled not just to relieve the pains in the land, but also to reduce the high tension in the country," the NLC said in a statement. On Friday the Nigerian government introduced a number of grants and tax reductions to help offset the recent 23% rise in fuel prices. But the measures did not include the NLC's key demand for the lowering of prices at the pump. Global oil prices have increased by 60% since the start of 2004 due to both supply and demand pressures. While demand has expanded strongly, led by China's economic boom and continuing high consumption in the US, supplies have been hit by the situation in Iraq. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE BUSINESS STORIES SelectNigeria strike call targets ShellOverseas sales boost for ToyotaMarsh CEO sees Spitzer settlementConsumer spending lifts US growthParmalat bankers counter-attackBlack 'to resign from Hollinger'Jobs go in Eurotunnel rescue planSpanish surprise sprung on Abbey  NIGERIA: TROUBLED GIANT Obasanjo's thankless task FIGHTING FOR OIL Oil capital under siege Profile: Militia leader In pictures The militia fighting for local control of Nigeria's oil wealth COMMUNAL CLASHES Eyewitness: 'Town of death' Analysis: Behind the violence In pictures Learning the lessons in the aftermath of bloodshed MUSLIM NORTH Simmering tensions Sharia 'a political tool' Tracking down Nigeria's 'Taleban' BACKGROUND Country profile Timeline RELATED INTERNET LINKS: NLC Nigerian government Shell The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP BUSINESS STORIES NOW Nigeria strike call targets Shell Overseas sales boost for Toyota Marsh CEO sees Spitzer deal Spending lifts US growth News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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