The indefinite strike called by Nigeria’s organized labour for Monday, to protest high fuel prices, will shut down the country’s oil production, close air and sea ports, as well as banks, markets and fuel stations, the organizers said on Wednesday. The country’s two workers’ unions, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), announced the total strike on Wednesday after simultaneous meetings in the economic capital city of Lagos and the political capital city of Abuja.
‘After exhaustive deliberations and consultations with all sections of the populace, the NLC, TUC and their pro-people allies demand that the Presidency immediately reverses fuel prices to N65 (US$0.4 cents),’ the unions said in a joint statement.
‘If the Government fails to do so, they direct that indefinite general strikes, mass rallies and street protests be held across the country with effect from Monday 9th January, 2012. From that Monday, 9th January 2012 date, all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets, banks, amongst others will be shut down. We advise Nigerians to stockpile basic needs especially food and water,’ the unions said.
On 1 Jan, the government announced the withdrawal of the contentious fuel subsidy in a shock New Year ‘gift’ to Nigerians, pushing up the price of petrol from 65 naira per litre to between 141 and 200 naira (US$0.90 and US$1.3), and causing untold hardships for Nigerians, especially those who travelled to the countryside for the holidays.
The price hike triggered protests in cities across the country, including Lagos and Abuja as well as the central town of Ilorin, where one protester was killed.
The unions said: ‘The immediate generalized negative impact of the price increase on transport cost, food, drugs, schools fees, rents, indicate that government is totally wrong to underestimate the impact assessment of the so-called deregulation policy.’