/ 13 June 2000

NIGERIAN FUEL STRIKE ENDS

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the country’s main trade union, on Tuesday called off its five-day nationwide strike over fuel price increases after the government slashed prices to near pre-strike levels. The strike, which began last Thursday to protest the almost 50% rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene, was called off after labour and government negotiators reached an agreement in the capital Abuja, NLC leader Adams Oshiomhole told journalists. “The government has agreed to reduce the prices of petrol from 30 naira to 22 naira, diesel from 29 naira to 21 naira and kerosene from 27 naira to 17 naira,” he announced at the end of the meeting. He said Nigerian workers should resume work immediately as a result of the decision. The strike which triggered protests, has paralysed businesses, air travel and many aspects of everyday life since last week.