International Flights Affected by Strike (Guardian)
AT the close of the second day of the on-going strike called by Labour to protest Federal Government policies yesterday, international airlines, which operate flights in Nigeria, began counting their losses.
With the strike, the airlines, particularly European carriers, now incur extra cost in sourcing aviation fuel (JET A1), which has become scarce and rather expensive in the country.
To scale the logjam, the airlines now source the commodity from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Ghana, Republic of Benin and Cameroun.
It would be recalled that most international airlines into Lagos and other parts of the country have had their schedules suddenly changed, or flights cancelled outright.
A Virgin Atlantic Airways flight that was scheduled to have arrived in the country on Wednesday morning had its flight rescheduled, owing to the fact that the airline was not sure of getting aviation fuel in the country.
Passengers earlier booked on the flight were later taken to a hotel as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Sources say KLM, British Airways, Qatar, Lufthansa, Air France and others, have been sourcing the commodity from Niger, Republic of Benin, Ghana and Cameroun, depending on the proximity to the airport where they land in Nigeria.
A top official of KLM, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian yesterday that his airline actually got JET A1 in Niger, while British Airways was said to have bought its from Accra, Ghana.
The source lamented that besides burning fuel to get to Accra to source the commodity, a quarter of the fuel is "wasted to fly to and from Accra."
Aviation fuel is very costly. All over the world, airlines are cutting down on fuel usage, which the source said accounts for one-third of their expenses.
He added that apart from the huge cost expended on fuel, their planes get charged for the time it remains on the tamac of an airport.
The airlines, he noted, are also charged for landing and parking by the Nigerian aviation authorities.
He, however, could not put a figure to the losses his airline has incurred, noting "we are still computing our losses, since the strike is still on.
"Aircraft are not meant to be on ground. The more hour we spend on ground, the more charges we incur from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other aviation agencies," the source said.
The landing and parking fees charged foreign carriers by Nigerian aviation agencies are reported to be the highest in the world, a situation that makes some airlines to quickly depart Nigerian airports, almost immediately after landing.
The strict slot allocation for airlines in Europe has equally been disrupted by the scarcity of aviation fuel due to the on-going strike.
With the failure of governments around the world to invest adequately and on a timely basis in their airports and with the increasing impact of environmental concerns on airports and related development, airlines - and thus their users - are increasingly facing difficulties because of a shortage of adequate slots to cope with demand.
This has led to airlines' needs being unsatisfied and has put increasing pressure on slots at congested airports and on the slot allocation system.
The system has been proven to be vulnerable, especially at a time like this, when the strike which makes airlines flying into Nigeria shift their time of departure.
Airport Authority Tightens Security (Press Reports)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said it had taken steps to ensure the safety of lives and properties at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as the nationwide workers’ strike enters the third day on Friday (today).
Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, at the domestic airport, the Managing Director, FAAN, Alhaji Mohammad Yusufu, disclosed that the Airport Police Command, State Security Service personnel and other security agents, were alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order within the airport vicinity.
“I am going round the airport to ensure that there is peace, stability and from what I have seen I am glad to inform you that so far, there has been no case of mal-handling of anybody. Adequate arrangements have been made with all stakeholders to see to this stability,” he said.
Yusufu also commended the staff of FAAN for rising to the challenges of the moment.
A visit by our correspondent to the local wing of the airport revealed that the booking counters of airlines were empty signalling that they had obeyed the strike directive, in contrast with the previous day when the airline operated.
Some airlines operated in the early hours of the day, but later stopped. Passengers were seen stranded in the airport, hoping to secure tickets to various parts of the country.
The situation was slightly different at the international wing of the airport as Kenya Airlines and Ethiopia Airlines arrived at 11.10am and 12.30pm respectively, while Bellview Airline with flight number B3262, departed for Johannesburg, South Africa, through Duala, Cameroun, at about 11.15am.
Virgin Atlantic airline also had an early morning arrival from London while its office at the airport amended its working hours from 6am to 2pm for now.
Virgin Nigeria staff were seen selling tickets to passengers for its domestic routes at the international wing.
An official of the airline told our correspondent that it operated the domestic route with reduced schedule.
For Aero Contractors, the door appeared completely closed to customers.
A notice at the entrance to the company read, “We regret to inform you that our flights for today have been cancelled as a result of the ongoing national strike.”
Effects of Strike Around the Nation (Vanguard)
Organized Labour and civic groups agitation for a reversal of the price of fuel to N65 continued yesterday as they squeezed life out business and social activities in almost every part of the country.
The strike has had a telling effect on the health, aviation and hospitality industries.
In Abuja, the prestigious Transcorp Sheraton and Le Meridian hotels had to check out their guests following a directive from the National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers (NUHPSW) an affiliate of the NLC.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on its part has thrown its weight behind Labour and asked the Federal Government to listen to Labour.” We will not hesitate to call our members nationwide to join the strike in sympathy with the Labour Congress who are in on the side of the Nigerian people on the issue.”
In the aviation industry, most of the airlines have suspended operations as the strike bites harder.
LAGOS: In Lagos economic activities remained paralysed. Except for the informal sector of the economy, most offices, in Marina, surulere, Apapa, Ikeja, visited, including banks were shut with security guards manning their gates.
However, some major markets, such as Ojuwoye and Mushin and road side traders and hawkers were seen transacting business but with the traders complaining of dull business.
ONDO: In Ondo State commercial vehicle drivers and Okada operators which did not join the strike on the first day joined yesterday leaving many people to trek long distances.
There was however a breakdown of law and order as the wind screen of some commercial vehicles (Taxi) were smashed following a report that they flouted a directive by there unions that they should join the strike action.
It took the intervention of the leaders of the union as the major Oyemekun road was barricaded by some protesting drivers who preferred not to join the action.
ENUGU: In Enugu the Abakaliki main market was yesterday shut and commercial vehicle operators withdrew their services.
Immediately after the closure of the market at 11 a.m. many of the traders stood in front of their shops discussing the strike.
EBONYI: Also the Ebonyi State Transport Service that defied the strike on Wednesday did not operate yesterday as its workers joined the strike.
KANO: In Kano State Chairman of NLC, Alhaji Isa Danguguwa, said that the union had invited Imams and pastors to offer prayers to God to swing victory to labour.
He made the announcement today in Kano when he addressed workers, commercial motorcyclists, students and members of other pressure groups.
According to him, clergymen will offer prayers for the struggle to be successful to improve the living standards of the people.
ANAMBRA: In Awka, workers and students continued to remain at home as directed by NLC but commercial activities continued; financial institutions and government offices.
EDO: Motorists in Edo State have began to experience excruciating effect as a litre of petrol has jumped from N110 to N150 per litre in some of the filling Stations that opened up for business.
When Vanguard went around Benin City yesterday, long queues of motors anxious to buy petrol stretching into several kilometers were observed in some of the petrol stations that have the commodity to sell just as black market operators cashed in on the situation to sell the product at cut throat prices to the consumers who were tired of staying at the filling stations waiting to buy the product.
KADUNA: In Kaduna, government offices remained closed in Kaduna yesterday even as bus fares went up by 40 percent.
The Kaduna metropolis was a little bit more lively on the first day of the strike as only few commercial vehicles plied the roads while armed policemen patrolled the city blaring sirens.
Most of the petrol stations were closed although the commodity was sold in the black market at an average of between N155 and N160 instead of the N110 sold in some filling stations on Wednesday.
Most of the beer palours were also deserted as traders who normally patronised them after the day’s sales kept off the places.
OGUN: In Ogun State, the on going strike action continued yesterday with the health sector being mostly affected as relations of patients at the General Hospitals across the state had to discharge and take them to private hospitals.
Although Medical Doctors, who said that they were not members of NLC, were at the government hospitals, they could not attend to any patient as there were no support staffs.
Particularly disturbing to them was the fact that medical records of patients were not available as those in charge of were not around to work and neither were the nurses.
The premises of the General Hospital, Ijaiye in Abeokuta was very dirty yesterday when Vanguard visited while there was no single patient on admission. The Emergency Unit was also empty.
Some pregnant women who came for anti-natal care were turned back at the gate.
KWARA: In Kwara State, civil servants, and private sector workers staged indoors.
The University of Ilorin teaching hospital, in Ilorin and hospitals in Amilegbe and Olorunsogo area, saw families, saw families, evacuating their relatives on admission to private hospitals in town.
Similarly, fuel stations visited by Vanguard in Ilorin did not have fuel while the very few that have sold a liter of petrol for between N125 and N167 .
ABUJA: In Abuja, as the Nigerian Labour Congress led strike hits its third day, the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers and the Le’’ Meridain Hotel were among the major hotels that are hit by the strike, as quests checked out en-mass following their obedience to the directive of the National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers (NUHPSW), an affiliate of the NLC, to do so.
At the time of visits yesterday, many guest were seen with their luggage at the lobby of the hotels, as a few management staff and casual rendering services in some of the Hotels outlets. It estimated that the hospitality industry in Abuja, maybe loosing as much as N180 million per day as a result of the strike.
Government offices, Banks and many shopping Complexes where shut. Long, fuel queues were the order of the day, as few Petrol stations had fuel to sell. Meanwhile, black marketers continue to smile home with unprecedented returns as a litre of fuel sells for betweens N300 and N400 depending on ones haggling powers.
PLATEAU: In Plateau state, unlike Wednesday when private shops and businesses operated unhindered, shop owners, banks as well as commercial cabs and motor cycles participated in the strike bringing business activities into a virtual standstill.
Strike Brings Nation to a Standstill (Business Day)Police used tear gas on strikers manning a barricade in Nigeria's economic capital Lagos today as the second day of a general strike brought parts of Africa's largest oil producer to a standstill.
With oil production and exports so far unaffected, unions called on their members to set up "compliance squads" to ensure the strike achieved its aim of paralysing the economy, after negotiations with the government broke down.
The police used tear gas at a barricade on the northern outskirts of Lagos, dispersing a mixture of union officials, students, residents and local thugs to clear a road, a reporter said.
"We are barricading the road to enforce compliance with the strike," Idris Aloma of the National Union of Road Transport Workers said earlier.
"Some can not be fighting for the good of all while others would be going to work and about their normal business as if everything was okay," he told AFP.
He said barricades would be extended to all the major junctions in Lagos. "There won't be movement until the strike is over."
However none of the major oil companies operating in the world's sixth largest exporter of crude oil has reported any disruption to production or exports.
"There is no effect that I can confirm, not yet anyway," Precious Okolobo, a spokesman for the biggest operator Royal Dutch Shell said.
Union leaders have vowed to press ahead with their action until the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua, who was only sworn in late last month, reverses a decision to hike petrol prices by 15 percent.
"We are pressing forward with the strike", Owei Lakemfa, spokesman for the umbrella Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said, amid signs the shut-down way having an effect.
Fuel soared to three or four times its normal price on the black market, meaning higher public transportation costs.
Banks, schools, petrol stations and businesses were closed in many parts of the country.
Lagos' main port Apapa was still open but only just ticking over as Nigerian Port Authority workers and customs staff followed the strike.
The majority of domestic flights have been cancelled or disrupted, airlines and travellers said.
International flights were obliged to make a refuelling stop elsewhere in the region: KLM in Accra, Iberia in Niamey and British Airways in Palma de Mallorca.
Neither the NLC or the white-collar Trade Union Congress (TUC) said they were expecting to hold further talks with the government.
Oil companies' concerns about the possible effects of the Nigerian strike were offset somewhat when oil prices fell heavily yesterday after the US government said its energy stockpiles had risen strongly last week.
This morning in Singapore, New York's main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in August, was up four cents to 68.90 US dollars a barrel.
Nonetheless, a lengthy strike could only contribute to uncertainty. The Nigerian government said in a statement it was doing everything possible towards ensuring an early resolution of the strike.
"Government wishes to warn however, that while it respects the right of any worker to embark on a strike action, that right should not be used as an excuse to instigate a breakdown of law and order," the secretary to the government Babagana Kingibe said.Strike Strands 40 Ships in Lagos Waters (Business Day)
Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on yesterday that apart from the 40 ships stranded on the waters, those that landed recently were also not being attended to as dockworkers had joined in the strike.
NAN correspondent who visited the ports today reported that the ports were deserted and devoid of the usual high human traffic as their gates were shut to trucks.
The NAGAFF President decried incessant strike in Nigeria and its impact on the economy, explaining that the nation loses average revenue of 8,000 dollars per day on a ship during strike or lock-outs.
Simarly, the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, has expressed concern over the implication of the strike on agents and importers.
He said that the major problem that would be encountered by the agents and importers after the strike would be how to pay charges on rents and demurrage by both the shipping companies and private terminal operators.
Amiwero said that the shipping companies and terminal operators had never waived charges as used to be done by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in situations like this when it was in charge of operations at the ports.
"Shipping companies and terminal operators should oblige us with waivers on rents and demurrage in situation of strikes, lock-outs and public holidays," Amiwero said.
The National Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dayo Abdul Azeez, told NAN that though the strike had paralysed operations at the ports which are the gateway to the nation’s economy, its members are in support of it as all Nigerians feel the hardship brought about by the fuel price hike.
He decried the rise in prices of goods and services and appealed to government to heed the demands of the NLC.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Dera Nnadi, told NAN that all officers and men of the command were on duty because they were para-military and had to be at their duty posts.
He also said that the Automated System of Customs Data (ASYCUDA) for the on-line processing of cargo documents was opened for business.
He, however, said that because NPA staff were members of the NLC, the gates to the ports were locked, thereby disrupting business activities in the area.
The Customs Public Relations Officer at the Tin-Can Island Port Command, Chris Osunkwo also told NAN that officers and men of the command were at their duty posts, but that the people they were supposed to serve (importers and agents) were not forthcoming.
The nation may be heading for total darkness any time from now as workers at Kainji and Shiroro dams are set to join the ongoing industrial action.
An official close to operations at both dams said if the Federal Government failed to meet the demands of the labour unions by bringing down the pump price of petrol from N70 per litre to N65, they would have no choice but to join the strike by today.
THISDAY gathered that the decision was already causing panic in government as top functionaries had started putting pressure on labour union leaders to change their stance and embrace the concessions made by government.
THISDAY gathered from the labour unions that the immediate past permanent secretary, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, who was asked to vacate her post at the Federal Ministry of Labour few days to the end of President Olusegun Obasanjo reign had been drafted to tackle the matter.
She had mediated in several trade union disputes and succeeded in averting strikes in the past.
But a member of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mohammed Gulloma Saidu, has disclosed that members working in the area of crude oil exploration have been asked to shut down.
“We have given the directives that all the terminals must be shut down by 12 midnight Wednesday and they have compiled. By early this morning (Thursday), those who were yet to do so said they were in the process of doing so. You know the process of shutting down takes time but they are complying.
“The implication is very clear but is very unfortunate that this new government wants to be hijacked by sycophants. Nigeria is greater than any individual. They cannot increase fuel price through dubious means and expect us to take it,” he said.
On his part, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, has urged NLC to reciprocate Federal Government’s gesture in granting it some concessions by calling off its strike.
Speaking when the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Ahmed Dogondaji, and his commissioners visited him in his office, Mark said there was the need for labour to open its doors for continued dialogue.
He expressed surprise that NLC was yet to call off the strike in spite of the concessions by government and calls by well-meaning Nigerians, warning that the congress could lose public sympathy if the strike was not called off immediately.
The Senate President explained that the new administration in the country should be allowed to settle down so that it could comprehensively address the issues at stake.
He lamented that the strike was not in the national interest and could also not be in the interest of labour either.
Speaking earlier, Dogondaji commended the leadership of the Senate and requested the Senate President to look into the problem of accommodation facing the commission.
The Senate President had promised that the leadership of the Senate would address the problem.
Healthcare Services Hit
Meanwhile, the crippling effect of the strike has hit healthcare services and commercial vehicle operations as it enters its third day.
In Damaturu, Yobe State capital, top government officials, volunteers and some doctors attended to patients at the Sani Abacha Hospital because the workers had joined the strike.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Mohammed Sulum, led the team to attend to the patients.
Voluntary and non governmental organisations (NGO) have also promised to provide assistance in ensuring that patients have access to drugs.
Some patients accepted the ad-hoc arrangement and a lot of others opted to seek treatment at private hospitals and clinics in spite of the high cost.
Protests Get Violent
Labour leaders disallowed commercial vehicles from carrying out their activities in Damaturu, Yobe State, just as no fewer than 50 cabs were smashed by protesters along Oba Adesida road in Akure, Ondo State.
No fewer than 10 persons were wounded by protesters who attacked taxi drivers doing their legitimate businesses in Akure. The protesters blocked major roads in Akure to ensure that the strike got full compliance, especially the stay- at- home-order but police had taken over the major streets to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.
The policemen employed persuasion rather than force to disperse restive youths as people ran for their safety.
Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, said the police were up to the task of curtailing any violent reaction.
He said: ``some miscreants are trying to disrupt the legitimate business activities of taxi drivers because their chairman did not give an order to any group to disturb others from carrying out their businesses."
Commuters in Enugu were also stranded as the leadership of the Enugu State Branch of NURTW disallowed commercial bus drivers from plying the roads.
The monitoring team was visible in every part of the city discharging passengers from the buses and forcing vehicles off the roads.
A commuter, Mr. Mike Ikenna, said that he could not get to his shop on time because of the action of the monitoring team.
Port Harcourt Hospitals Hit Hard by Strike (Vanguard)
Government hospitals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have stopped admitting new patients but the old patients are currently being attended to by chief nursing officers. The CNOs and medical doctors are not part of the strike.
Vanguard gathered, Thursday, that all other cadre of medical officers, including administrative staff of hospitals kept their distance from government’s health institutions from Wednesday, when organized labour told workers to stay at home.
Consequent upon the action, two victims of a shoot-out by two street gangs, suspected to be cultists, around Emenike/Ikwerre Road in Rumuwoji Community of Diobu Mile 1, Thursday, were turned back. Sympathizers hurriedly proceeded with one of the casualties, a young woman, to a nearby private clinic along Station Bus Stop, in Port Harcourt.
As the strike enters the second day, a massive shrink in socio-economic activities has caused residents to groan under the weight of cash squeeze. Some shopkeepers and other commercial outfits started closing shop at about 2 pm to enable them “trek home early in the day”.
Also, the usually busy and congested Port Harcourt roads witnessed a severe lull in flow of traffic. The situation may have been occasioned by the excruciating fuel scarcity in the state. In addition, electricity has been switched off in the city since Wednesday evening.
Even some private schools that shunned the strike on Wednesday have joined the industrial action. As a result of the empty streets and “no school order”, children have taken to playing football along deserted streets such as Ojoto, Okwuzu, Afikpo, Ojike and Nsukka.
It was not known whether a good number of commercial motorcyclists have decided to join the strike or went off the road because of fuel scarcity, Vanguard observed that the ubiquitous Okada operators have reduced considerably from the major areas like Ikwerre, Aba Roads, Trans Amadi Layout and the many streets of Diobu.Labor Strike Continues - Analysis (Middle East Times)
A general strike over rising fuel costs gripped Nigeria Wednesday after talks between union and government officials broke down.
Global oil prices remained steady Wednesday despite the labor stoppage in Nigeria. However, forecasters predict that a prolonged strike will eventually hamper production in the world's eighth-largest oil-exporting country and send prices soaring.
The nationwide cessation of labor was sparked earlier this week when several unions called for a general strike across the West African nation after the government declared that fuel prices would be increased. It was a decision that sparked outrage among Nigeria's 140 million people, 70 percent of whom subsist on less than $1 a day.
Despite being the largest producer of oil on the continent, Nigeria must import fuel for domestic consumption as many refineries have gone offline due to negligence fueled by government corruption, as well as militant attacks on oil installations.
Since the 1970s, Nigeria, Africa's No. 1 oil producer, has pumped more than $300 billion worth of crude from the southern delta states, according to estimates. But high unemployment in the Niger Delta, environmental degradation due to oil and gas extraction, and a lack of basic resources such as fresh water and electricity have angered the region's youth, who have taken up arms.
Ire over having to import oil when domestic supplies are so abundant was the final straw for the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress, and other labor groups.
"We will not call it off until the government reverses fuel price ... We believe that Nigerians have suffered enough and adding another burden to the one they are bearing will be killing," said NLC president Abdulwaheed Omar.
Omar then criticized newly elected President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua directly for the price increase, calling it illegal and a violation of the country's constitution.
"The president swore to uphold the tenets of the constitution so, to that extent, he should now demonstrate that oath of allegiance to the constitution by reversing the injustice done to Nigerians by virtue of this increase," he said.
Yar'Adua, who assumed power some three weeks ago, is already under fire from opponents who said that he won the presidency through intimidation and widespread fraud.
In his inaugural address, the new president said that he would "set a worthy personal example" by tackling corruption and violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta that continues to hamper oil production there.
"The crisis in the Niger Delta commands our urgent attention," he said. "Ending it is a matter of strategic importance to our country. I will use every resource available to me, with your help, to address this crisis in a spirit of fairness, justice, and cooperation."
Some analysts say that Yar'Adua's promises of reform are just that: promises.
"While the oil companies continue to make historic profits, the government and [foreign] companies will continue to exploit Nigeria's resources and its people," said Emira Woods, co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Institute of Policy Studies.
Meanwhile, Yar'Adua did get some good news this week amid the strike that has all but halted the Nigerian economy when a leading militant leader who was freed from prison declared that militants in the delta would halt attacks on installations as the president proves he is serious about tackling corporate and political corruption.
Militant leader Mujahid Dokubo-Asari praised Jonathan Goodluck, Yar'Adua's choice for vice-president. Goodluck hails from the dominant Ijaw tribe in the delta and said that his addition to the president's ticket paved the way for the temporary ceasefire in the delta.
"The majority of the Ijaw people are saying we should give Jonathan a chance, and we'll give him a chance," Dokubo-Asari said. "We'll halt attacks."
It is a much-needed reprieve for the president and the oil industry, whose production has decreased by 25 percent or more - currently estimated at 2 million barrels a day - due to the attacks.
Militant groups like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta and other gunmen have launched numerous attacks on both onshore and offshore oil installations in the delta and kidnapped 200 people this year.
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