Strike Report (AFP)
A general strike gripped Nigeria Wednesday, posing the first significant test for the new president and putting oil markets on edge over possible disruption to supplies from one of the world's top crude exporters.
The main labour unions decided to go ahead with the strike after the government of President Umaru Yar'Adua, who was only sworn in late last month, refused to reverse a 15-percent hike in the price of petrol.
"The general strike and mass protest continue tomorrow (Thursday). As we have earlier announced, the strike will be indefinite until the federal government returns the price of petrol to 65 naira (0.51 dollars, 0.38 euros)," Abdulwaheed Omar, head of the blue-collar Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), told reporters.
He urged workers to set up compliance squads countrywide "to ensure all work places are shut down".
"The burden of fixing Nigeria and removing the landmines planted by former president Olusegun Obasanjo rests on President Yar'Adua. This responsibility cannot be shifted or repudiated merely on the excuse that the problems were inherited."
He was referring to a series of unpopular measures such as the fuel price hike introduced by Obasanjo in his last days in power.
"President Yar'Adua needs to appreciate that it is not a sign of weakness to listen to the people and act in accordance with their will," Omar added.
In the commercial capital Lagos, streets that are normally jammed were virtually free of traffic, with the impact of the strike worsened by heavy rain.
Some workers complained they had tried to come into work but said they had been turned back by union officials at impromptu roadblocks. Others said they could no longer afford the cost of transportation which has risen threefold in the past few days.
In the administrative capital Abuja only a few senior government officials showed up for work. Union officials turned out to enforce compliance with the strike, preventing some service stations selling fuel from doing so.
Union officials in the northern commercial capital Kano forced some shops to close and obliged passengers to get out of the few minibuses still circulating.
Most government schools were closed across the country, as were banks. Many flights were suspended or disrupted, but markets, street food stalls and some supermarkets stayed open.
By Monday fears of the walkout, which unions had been threatening for two weeks, and which could further hamper oil exports from Nigeria -- Africa's biggest oil producer and the world's sixth largest exporter -- had sent crude prices to their highest levels in nine months.
But initially at least there were no signs of production, much of which is offshore and automated, being affected.
"There's still no sign of anything being paralysed for the time being," one oil industry source said.
"There are no reports yet of a halt in exports," Shell's spokesman Precious Okolobo said.
"Our employees are complying with the strike action. There are no reported disruptions in production yet," said Chevron's spokesman Femi Odumabo.
A spokeswoman for Total likewise said production was not affected.
One quarter of Nigeria's total daily output of 2.6 million barrels is already lost due to unrest in the southern Niger delta region.
Union officials said it was just a matter of time until exports are hit.
"Compliance .. will come up gradually till it reaches its peak. This is just the beginning," Elijah Okougho, secretary- general of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the blue-collar oil workers' union, told AFP.
US Consulate Warden Message - Strike U.S. Embassy, ABUJA U.S. Consulate General LAGOS NIGERIA June 20, 2007 Warden Message Caution Advised for the Duration of Labor Strikes
This Warden message is being issued to advise American citizens that Nigerian labor leaders have called for nation-wide strikes beginning today, Wednesday June 20, 2007, to protest the recent increase in the price of petroleum products, taxes, and other related issues.
Strike actions have already taken place in Nigeria, public transportation has been disrupted, and many domestic airline flights have been delayed and cancelled. We have received reports of roads being blocked in and around Abuja as well as in other areas. Demonstrations have occurred in the vicinity of government offices in Abuja, and major transportation routes, and police have responded by clearing the blocked roadways. The duration and scope of these labor strikes are uncertain and have the potential to turn violent; therefore American citizens are urged to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise extreme caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. The police are staffing checkpoints at strategic locations around the Lagos metropolitan area. Nonetheless, travelers should restrict their intra-city movements to essential travel only as the security environment could deteriorate rapidly and without prior notice.
In response to these events, effective immediately, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has placed the following restrictions on all official personnel serving in Nigeria as follows: (1) no discretionary travel by road outside of the city limits of Abuja and Lagos, and (2) no discretionary domestic travel by air. This restriction will be in place until such time as the current situation improves and the Mission rescinds the restrictions.
Deliveries of gasoline have been delayed or suspended. Due to the likelihood of fuel shortages continuing for an indeterminate period, American citizens should conserve fuel and avoid unnecessary travel, and ensure that sufficient food supplies are available. Transportation may be severely affected, and additional police checkpoints are likely to appear on many roads.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises all American citizens to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and large crowds, and carefully assess local conditions and act accordingly. The United States Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos expect to remain open during this period of labor strikes; however, as conditions dictate, services may be limited or suspended. Any American citizen having consular business that cannot be postponed should contact the respective Consular Sections before coming to either the Embassy or Consulate General.
We have recommended that our staff evaluate their current personal contingency/emergency planning and at a minimum take the following precautions:
1) Fully fuel and inspect motor vehicles to ensure they are properly functioning;
2) Stock up on food and water so that you have sufficient stores to last several days;
3) Check locks and doors and remain in positive control over all keys to entry ways, doors, and locks;
4) Ensure mobile phones are fully charged; and
5) Have on hand a basic first aid kit.
We continue to advise all Americans to review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or the U. S. Consulate General in Lagos at the numbers below.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet website at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal Holidays.)
U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the telephone number is 09-461-4000. E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov
Check Flight Information
Today at Mohammed Murtala International Airport -- Inbound KLM is delayed three hours and outgoing flight tonight is still on. KLM web site in Netherlands no update on cancelled flights. BA web site same.
Today -- Two Virgin flights to Lagos cancelled.
Today -- Emirates Air flight from Lagos will fly to, Kano for refueling and then to Dubai.
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