BNW

B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News

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, 20:56 GMT 21:56 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria strike ends amid warnings Many Nigerians could not afford to go on strike Nigerian trade unions have called an official end to their four-day general strike against fuel price rises. But union leaders warned they will call an indefinite stoppage in two weeks' time if the government fails to bring down the price of petrol. The strike shut down banks, businesses, shops and public services. Nigeria's oil industry was unaffected but analysts say further stoppages could disrupt production in Africa's biggest oil exporter. "The strike is officially suspended and we will meet within the next two weeks to decide what action to take," Owei Lakemfa, spokesman for the Nigeria Labour Congress told the BBC. Worries Fuel costs have been rising since President Olusegun Obasanjo deregulated the sector a year ago and removed government subsidies. A committee including government official and union representatives has been set up to discuss ways of easing the impact of a 25% increase in petrol prices. But the unions have so far said they want nothing less than an immediate price cut. A BBC analyst says that even if the government does ultimately make a compromise on this latest price increase, there is little doubt that the era of cheap fuel is now over for Nigerians. Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies In pictures: Fuel strike The Nigerian oil industry continued to function during the strike, but international crude oil prices have risen partly because of worries about the effect of the strike. Oil prices increased again on Thursday, with US light crude oil closing at $54.76 a barrel. Many of the poorest Nigerians said they supported the idea of a strike, but if they did not work they could not eat. Despite Nigeria's oil wealth, most of the population lives in poverty. Two-thirds live on less than a dollar a day 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 SelectZimbabwe set for treason verdictNigeria strike ends amid warningsHopes of malaria vaccine by 2010Gbagbo calls on rebels to disarmSomali president 'a man of peace'HIV in monkeys 'blocked by drug'Liberia leader committed to peaceSierra Leone nabs S Korean boatsNew planes fly to battle locustsSeven die in Canada plane crashFormer SA official denies graftDarfur 'too unsafe' for food aidCameroon priest criticises pollBushmeat trade thriving in KenyaAfrican anti-terror centre opensBreaking Darfur's stereotypesVibrant Soweto turns to the futureNigerian press backs fuel strikeAfrica's news through cartoonsWhat 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 Zimbabwe set for treason verdict Nigeria strike ends amid warnings Hopes of malaria vaccine by 2010 Gbagbo calls on rebels to disarm 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

	BNW News
Voice of Biafra | Biafra World | Biafra Online | Biafra Web | MASSOB | Biafra Forum | BLM | Biafra Consortium
	© 2001 BNW BiafraNigeriaWorld  Privacy Policy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by ACENetwork ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Axiom PSI Yam Festival Series, Iri Ji Nd'Igbo the Kola-Nut Series,Nigeria Masterweb