Fuel strike start-off Nigeria - Nigeria's two umbrella workers unions on Wednesday set Monday for the start of an indefinite, nation-wide strike to protest a recent fuel price hike. The decision was reached at simultaneous meetings of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the economic capital city of Lagos and that of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the capital city of Abuja. Both unions also said they would not negotiate with the government until the strike begins, shunning a committee set up by the government for that purpose.

``We will not negotiate with any committee sent by the government to negotiate with us till we do what is in our minds,’’ said TUC President Peter Esele.

He said the unions had reached an understanding with the government in 2009 that fuel subsidy would not be removed until there was regular power supply, new refineries and repair of roads.

The announcement of the subsidy removal 1 Jan took petrol prices from 65 naira (US$0.4 cents) per litre to at least 141 naira (US$0.90), and immediately reflected on the cost of goods and services, especially transportation.

The decision was also greeted with protests across the country, including the central town of Ilorin where one protester died in yet-unclear circumstances on Tuesday.

The fuel price hike is largely unpopular in Nigeria, where citizens believe it is their right to enjoy cheap fuel, first because the country is oil rich, and then because it is considered the only form of welfare package from the government in a country where almost nothing works.

Pana 04/01/2012