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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: Monday, 27 September, 2004, 22:45 GMT 23:45 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria unions warn over oil hike By Anna Borzello BBC News, Lagos The NLC has called several strikes over fuel price rises Trade unions in Nigeria have threatened to call a mass action in protest at recent fuel price hikes. Pump prices rose by about 25% last week following the government's decision to allow fuel importers to fix a price at which they sell fuel products. Nigeria is the fifth largest exporter of crude oil within Opec but around 70% of the population live in poverty. Many Nigerians feel the only benefit they see from their country's oil wealth is cheap subsidised fuel. Ultimatum After a day-long meeting, the Nigerian Labour Congress announced that it was giving the government a two-week ultimatum: either revert to the old pump price or face a stay-at-home protest on 11 October. The price of fuel jumped by 25% last week to around 40 US cents a litre following a court ruling in the capital, Abuja, which gave the government the right to impose a fuel tax of one US cent per litre. It also forbade the NLC from striking over government policy such as deregulation. Fuel prices had been frozen until the court reached its decision, against which the NLC has said it will appeal. Nigeria is the largest exporter of oil in Africa and has for many years provided cheap subsidised fuel to its citizens. However, last year, the government allowed the private sector to import and sell fuel products and prices began to rise. The NLC has reacted each time by calling a general strike, which has twice forced the government to back down. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES Select'Talks' to end Nigeria oil crisisMauritania thwarts 'coup plot'Sudan rules out talks with rebelsKenya prisoners die in tiny cellVirgin takes to Nigeria's skiesDR Congo street kids burnt aliveAlgerian single mothers get aidWar threatens Uganda Aids successZimbabwe race probe beginsSomali warlord rejects presidencyFassie CD to boost Mandela fundCongo refugees back from BurundiPrincess for president in BurundiIslamists reject Sudan dealBurundi army 'kills rebels'Locusts push Mauritania to the brinkCan children bring peace to Ivory Coast?In Pictures: Your AfricaNigerian film lights Zambia's screensAre we still living the highlife?High life pictures The story of Ghanaian highlifeDo you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Nigeria seeks to curb union power 28 Jun 04  |  Africa In pictures: Nigeria fuel strike 10 Jun 04  |  Photo Gallery Nigeria tackles fuel subsidies 18 Jul 03  |  Business Nigeria fuel strike ban fails 06 Feb 04  |  Africa Country profile: Nigeria 17 Dec 03  |  Country profiles RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigerian government Nigeria Labour Congress The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW 'Talks' to end Nigeria oil crisis Mauritania thwarts 'coup plot' Sudan rules out talks with rebels Kenya prisoners die in tiny cell 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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