Monday, January 9, 2012

Nigeria faces second day of strikes over fuel


Reuters
9 January 2012

* President, unions in deadlock over fuel subsidy

* Economists say subsidy wasteful, corrupt

* Fuel an expensive commodity for many Nigerians

By Joe Brock

ABUJA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Nigerian unions begin a second day of nationwide strikes on Tuesday to protest against the removal of fuel subsidies, as President Goodluck Jonathan and workers remain in deadlock after three people were killed in the first day of demonstrations.

Nigeria's fuel regulator announced on Jan. 1 that subsidies on imports of motor fuel would end immediately, more than doubling the price of petrol to about 150 naira ($0.93) a litre and sparking protests across the country.

Police shot dead at least two protesters and wounded more than two dozen on Monday after firing live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters in the commercial hub Lagos and the largest northern city of Kano.

Tens of thousands marched the streets in demonstrations up and down Africa's most populous nation and banks, petrol stations and domestic airports were closed. Streets in many cities, which are usually heaving with traffic, would have been silent but for sound of protesters.

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