Lagos, Nigeria - Nigeria's umbrella workers' union has again called on the citizens to brace up for massive protests across the country against the government's planned removal of fuel subsidy, even as the federal government said it had yet to decide on the issue. The 2012 federal budget is silent on the fuel subsidy, which has generated a huge controversy involving labour unions and the opposition, which are vehemently against any subsidy removal, and the government which is bent on removing it.

However, nothing was said about the subsidy on Tuesday when President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 4.7 trillion naira federal budget to the national parliament (155 Naira=US$1).

Some analysts however said indications are that the 1 trillion naira deficit in the budget will be financed by the funds to be saved from the fuel subsidy removal, raising concerns within the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NLC's Acting Secretary Owei Lakemfa said: 'It (budget) is a disaster waiting to happen. In particular, the exclusion of fuel subsidy in the budget is not only tragic, but a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Thus, the Nigerian people will have no choice but to confront this challenge.

'We call on all Nigerian workers and people to begin preparations for a general strike and mass protest. The people must be prepared in the next few weeks when the Jonathan administration begins to implement his anti-Nigerian policy. Nigerians should prepare to occupy the streets and public institutions to prevent them from being taken over by anti-patriotic forces.'

Mr. Lakemfa said the leadership of the NLC would meet next Tuesday to firm up strategies and give a directive on the commencement of the protest 'and the resolve of workers and the Nigerian people to reclaim their country back.'

But Minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala denied that the government has removed the subsidy, saying: 'Mr. President is still meeting with the major stakeholders all over the country on the subsidy and at the appropriate time, he will make the decision.'

On the 1 trillion naira deficit in the budget, she said the government would source a 794 billion naira loan to finance it, rather than rely on money from the subsidy removal.

Pana 15/12/2011