Nigerian fuel strike to go ahead

The rise in fuel prices has hit many Nigerians hard

Unions in Nigeria have vowed to carry out their threat of a general strike despite the government agreeing to reduce the price of cooking fuel.

The strike, set to take place on 16 November, is likely to disrupt the country's oil industry which exports more than two million barrels a day.

Workers are protesting at a 23% rise in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices in September.

Unions said a government concession to cut kerosene prices was insufficient.

Government intervention

President Olusegun Obasanjo has personally intervened to try to avert strike action by ordering the state oil firm to cut the price of kerosene.

This action is necessary to enable the government to appreciate that the Nigerian people remain bitter and angry over these harsh prices Adams Oshiomhole, Nigerian Labour Congress

Unions have vowed to plough ahead with a nationwide strike, warning that the disruption will continue until the government reverses the earlier prices rises.

"The general strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday proceeds as planned nationwide by various organisations of Nigerian people," said Adams Oshiomhole, president of the Nigerian Labour Congress.

'Harsh prices'

"This action is necessary to enable the government to appreciate that the Nigerian people remain bitter and angry over these harsh prices and the failure of government to respect our wishes for immediate price reversals," he added.

A previous four-day nationwide strike in October shut down banks, businesses, shops and public services.

Unions have specifically threatened to target crude oil production and exports as part of the latest stoppage.

Nigeria is the world's seventh-largest oil producer.

A Nigerian court has ruled against the strike but unions have said they will not respect the ruling.