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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: Thursday, 14 October, 2004, 12:25 GMT 13:25 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigerian strike draws to a close Many Nigerians cannot afford to go on strike Nigerian trade unions are expected to end their four-day general strike against fuel price rises on Thursday. The strike has paralysed state activities and also led to the closure of many offices, banks and shops across the country. A committee formed on Monday, the first day of the strike, is due to hold talks on cushioning the impact of the 25% price rises. The country is Africa's largest oil exporter, yet most Nigerians are poor. Union leaders are warning that an indefinite strike could begin in two weeks time if fuel prices do not start coming down. Petrol prices in Nigeria have been rising since President Olusegun Obasanjo deregulated the fuel sector a year ago and removed government subsidies. The Nigerian oil industry has continued to function during the four-day strike action, but international crude oil prices have risen partly because of worries about the effect of the strike. Justice delayed On Wednesday, a Nigerian judge refused to hear cases brought by both the government and the unions over the legality of the strike. Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies In pictures: Fuel strike The government wanted the courts to declare the work stoppage illegal, a move opposed by the unions. The judge said that all legal action should be taken to the appeal court. The BBC's Anna Borzello in the largest city, Lagos, says that the government case was originally filed last Friday but was only heard on Wednesday because of the strike. Many traders have returned to work but schools and hospitals remain closed. Our correspondent says many of the poorest Nigerians support the idea of a strike, but cannot afford not to work. Despite Nigeria's oil wealth, most of the population lives in poverty and many see cheap fuel as the only benefit they receive. This is the third general strike over fuel prices in 18 months. After the last one in June, Mr Obasanjo introduced legislation, which reduce the powers of the NLC and make it more difficult for unions to go on strike. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectThousands cheer new Somali leaderSierra Leone nabs S Korean boatsLiberia leader committed to peaceNew planes fly to battle locustsNigerian strike draws to a closeCargo aircraft crashes in CanadaDarfur 'too unsafe' for food aidFormer SA official denies graftCameroon priest criticises pollIvorian rebels refuse to disarmBushmeat trade thriving in KenyaAfrican anti-terror centre opensGhana rights probe 'manipulated'Soweto township marks centenary'Miracle baby' nurses face probeAfrica's news through cartoonsGabon's oil boom hangoverTurning Blair's words into actionWhat do Africa's children want?African elections: Your picturesSend 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 Thousands cheer new Somali leader Sierra Leone nabs S Korean boats Liberia leader committed to peace New planes fly to battle locusts 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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