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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 Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Tuesday, 12 October, 2004, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Strikers holding firm in Nigeria Despite Nigeria's oil wealth, most of the population lives in poverty Many Nigerian shops and offices remain closed on the second day of a general strike, called over fuel price hikes. Trade unions have joined a government team to find ways of easing the impact of a 25% rise, but refused to end the protest. Oil production has not been affected in Africa's biggest exporter. The strike, which began on Monday, is one reason why the price of oil has reached a record high of $51 a barrel for London Brent crude. Poverty The strike was called by the trade union umbrella grouping, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to protest against big increases in the price of petrol since fuel subsidies were removed last year. Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies In pictures: Fuel strike Despite Nigeria's oil wealth, most of the population lives in poverty and many see cheap fuel as the only benefit they receive. The BBC's Anna Borzello in Lagos says support for the strike appeared to be on the wane on Monday, with many drivers and market traders out doing business by the afternoon. Our correspondent says many Nigerians support the idea of a strike, but cannot afford not to work. One person was shot and injured in the northern city of Kaduna when police dispersed protesters who had attempted to close roads. 'Strike continues' In a bid to take the steam out of the strike, President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a task force to look at the effects of the fuel price rises, which included NLC leader Adams Oshiomhole. After its inaugural meeting on Monday, Mr Oshiomhole told reporters: "The strike continues tomorrow, because before you can begin to tinker with the strike, you have to have irreversible progress. We haven't yet got there." Mr Oshiomhole was detained over the weekend The unions are ignoring a court order issued last month, which banned them from striking for reasons other than working conditions. Mr Oshiomhole said after four days, the action would be suspended to give the government the opportunity to change its position and start talking to the unions. He told the BBC that he wanted to persist with union action to resolve the matter once and for all. "If they talk and we are able to resolve the issues, then that is the end of it," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. "If they don't, then after two weeks we will resume the strike... This time we have to pursue this until there is a final deal that is acceptable to all." Mr Oshiomhole - who leads the 29-union umbrella body - has led two widely observed general strikes in the last 18 months over fuel price increases. He was detained by state security agents two days before the strike began, before being released. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectSoweto township marks centenaryStrikers holding firm in NigeriaLandmine kills Darfur aid workersCameroon leader 'ahead in polls'Zanzibar to raise its flag againEU lifts weapons embargo on LibyaIvory Coast cocoa strike threatS Africa arms fraud trial startsCheer and fear in Somali capitalBoat tragedy in eastern DR CongoLong-term ivory trade ban defeatDeal to end Guinea-Bissau mutinyLibya arrests 'al-Qaeda' suspectsAward for pioneering priestTurning Blair's words into actionCameroon's reluctant campaignerTaking arms against the swarmsWhat do Africa's children want?Do you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  BBC NEWS: VIDEO AND AUDIO Why Nigerian workers are taking strike action 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 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW Soweto township marks centenary Strikers holding firm in Nigeria Landmine kills Darfur aid workers Cameroon leader 'ahead in polls' 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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