Oil workers in the country on Friday finalised plans to embark on a nationwide strike after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government this week.
The workers are protesting the recent increase in prices of petrol by 15 per cent from N65 to N75; the doubling of the Value Added Tax from five per cent to 10 per cent and the sale of two refineries to private investors.
The workers, under the auspices of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, endorsed the strike action and agreed to join forces with the Trade Union Congress and the Nigerian Labour Congress to bring the economy to a halt.
�We want a total reversal of sale of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, the reversal of increase in the price of petrol and VAT,� the President, PENGASSAN, Mr. Peter Esele, said on Sunday.
He said the policies had negative economic consequences on the public.
About 6,000 oil workers at Nigerian National Petroleum Company embarked on a warning strike between May 24 and 25, halting work at refineries, depots and other facilities operated by NNPC.
The strike was aimed at protesting the May 17 sale of the refineries. President Umar Yar�Adua is yet to comment on the sale of the strategic assets.