Nigerian strike enters 3rd day

LAGOS – A general strike in Nigeria which has raised fears over oil supply from the world’s seventh largest exporter entered its third day yesterday, but oil unions said they would maintain essential services.

Fears over Nigerian oil supplies helped drive world oil prices to a record high of US$54,45 (N$359,37) per barrel in New York on Tuesday. US.crude futures eased to US$52,27 yesterday.The strike, called to protest rising fuel prices, was originally due to end tomorrow but unions have threatened to extend it if the government continues to crack down violently on protests.”We have told our members to maintain essential services,” said Lumumba Okugba, deputy secretary-general of the white-collar oil union PENGASSAN.Staffing shortages were likely at oil export terminals because most PENGASSAN members have been asked to stay at home, he said.But oil companies have said they do not expect any interruptions or delays.Oil multinationals which pump all of Nigeria’s 2,3 million barrels per day have contingency plans to maintain operations even under total strike conditions.Union leader Adams Oshiomhole said the four-day “warning strike” could be extended if the government continued to crack down violently on protests.He said a boy was shot dead by police at a rally in the northern city of Kaduna on Monday.Unions are demanding the government reverse a recent 20 per cent increase in fuel prices to 53 naira (40 cents) per litre, but talks between the two sides have so far achieved little.US.crude futures eased to US$52,27 yesterday.The strike, called to protest rising fuel prices, was originally due to end tomorrow but unions have threatened to extend it if the government continues to crack down violently on protests.”We have told our members to maintain essential services,” said Lumumba Okugba, deputy secretary-general of the white-collar oil union PENGASSAN.Staffing shortages were likely at oil export terminals because most PENGASSAN members have been asked to stay at home, he said.But oil companies have said they do not expect any interruptions or delays.Oil multinationals which pump all of Nigeria’s 2,3 million barrels per day have contingency plans to maintain operations even under total strike conditions.Union leader Adams Oshiomhole said the four-day “warning strike” could be extended if the government continued to crack down violently on protests.He said a boy was shot dead by police at a rally in the northern city of Kaduna on Monday.Unions are demanding the government reverse a recent 20 per cent increase in fuel prices to 53 naira (40 cents) per litre, but talks between the two sides have so far achieved little.