Nigeria oil platforms on “red alert” for shutdown – Union

January 11, 2012 | Africa

Bonny_Island_Terminal_Nigeria

Nigerian oil workers told the government today to restore a scrapped petrol subsidy or they’ll shut down production entirely.

The Pengassan and Nupeng unions said they were in talks to down tools in support of workers across the country, who were on the streets for a third day in a nationwide strike against the rise in fuel prices.

Pengassan national industrial relations officer Chika Onuegbu said an oil workers’ strike would “mark the beginning of the next phase of the protest” and would be “disastrous” for the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government relies on crude exports for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and most of its revenue.

Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke ordered all striking workers back to work on Tuesday evening, warning that their employers would enforce a “no work, no pay policy.”

But Nigeria Labour Congress deputy president Promise Adewusi said workers would “not be deterred by the government threat.

“We were very conscious that the instrument exists before we decided on this course of action, but the strike continues.”

The industrial action has closed Lagos’s busy Apapa port, cutting off cargo shipments. Businesses remain closed and most international flights have been cancelled.

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Lagos, Abuja and Kano again today.

Almost all of the protests were peaceful, but groups of young people reportedly attacked a police car with sticks and tore down signposts in a posh Lagos neighbourhood.

Police have killed 13 people since the protests began on Monday, according to local media.

Suspected Islamist militants opened fire on customers at a pub in Potiskum, Yobe state, on Tuesday. Eight civilians and four police officers were killed.