NLC and TUC Nigeria's main trade union groups called Wednesday for a general strike and mass
rallies beginning next week if a controversial government decision to take away
fuel subsidies is not reversed.
Angry protests took place Tuesday after gas prices more than doubled
following the subsidies' removal Sunday.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Cabinet ministers were meeting in
the capital, Abuja, Wednesday to discuss their response to the crisis.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged the
government to immediately restore the subsidies -- or see the country grind to a
halt starting January 9.
"We call on all Nigerians to participate actively in this movement to rescue
our country. The emphasis is on peaceful protests, rallies and strikes while
refusing to be intimidated," the unions' statement says.
It also calls on "the police, armed forces and other security agencies to
reject orders that they turn their weapons on fellow Nigerians."
The unions accused police of using "unprecedented force" against peaceful
protests held this week, leading to harassment, intimidation and arrests.
Eyewitnesses told NaijaRevolt the demonstrations have been largely peaceful.
NLC leader Abdulwaheed Omar said all sectors of the economy would be
paralyzed, beginning Monday.
"We shall shut down all petrol stations, banks, markets and every business
premises to achieve our goal," he said. "This strike will be indefinite."
The unions' statement urges Nigerians to stock up on basic necessities,
including food and water, ahead of the industrial action.
The cost of a liter of gasoline shot up from 65 naira (40¢) to at least 141
naira (86¢) almost overnight after the subsidies were removed Sunday.
Nigerians say this is the last straw in a country rich with oil reserves but
with poor infrastructure, wide corruption and huge numbers of impoverished
citizens.
Union leaders say Nigerian workers are already experiencing unnecessary
hardship as a result of the move, which they say is also affecting the cost of
transport, food, medicine, rent and school fees.
The government says it believes the removal of fuel subsidies will have a
positive impact on the country's economy. It argues the money saved will be used
to invest elsewhere, such as in refineries.
Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria -- a country of
167 million people -- has no functioning refineries and has to import fuel.
Freelance journalist Eromo Egbejule, 21, joined a portion
of a march from Lagos to the city of Ojota Wednesday.
"People were protesting because thanks to this policy, the cost of living has
skyrocketed," he said. "Everything is now double its price. Or triple. They were
saying their minds."
He saw banners with slogans such as "We want good governance, not good luck,"
a play on the president's name, and "Tunisia will be child's play," an apparent
reference to the ouster of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali last year
amid mass street protests.
Car tires were set alight and gas stations blockaded in some places Tuesday.
Video footage showed black smoke rising above crowds of marchers carrying
placards or chanting, many of them young men.
Alex Omamuli, a 35-year-old civil service worker from Abuja,
accused the government of using force to try to stifle legitimate protest.
"Please let the world know that we have a right to demonstrate peacefully but
our government shot tear gas at innocent, peaceful protesters," he said.
"We, the youths of Nigeria, won't stop until this insensitive and wicked act
is reversed."
Another Reporter, who asked to remain anonymous, took part in protests
in Lagos, the country's economic capital.
"The aim of the protest was to disrupt vehicular movement, shut down gas
stations, and ask people to go back home," he said. "The mood was one of anger
and frustration towards the government for doing this on New Year's Day."
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