Nigerian oil flows as fuel strike enters third day

Paris (Platts)--13Oct2004

Oil was still flowing in OPEC member Nigeria as union leaders took a general
strike into a third day. The warning strike, called Oct 10 to protest a recent
20% hike in fuel prices, was originally due to end Thursday but unions have
threatened to extend it if the government continues to use excessive force
against demonstrators. 

"We are where we are yesterday. We are maintaining a skeletal staff at the
production locations. People are still working as of now," said acting
president of the white-collar union Pengassan Babatunde Ogun. The five major
operators Shell, ExxonMobil, ChevronTexaco, Total and Eni have said operations
are running as normal "There has been no impact on loadings as of yet.We are
still loading our tanks," said Ogun. Nigeria Labour Congress president Adams
Oshiomhole said the strike could be extended following the killing of a young
demonstrator by police in the northern city of Kaduna. Gas prices in Nigeria
have risen since October last year, when Obasanjo abandoned fuel subsidies, as
part of wider economic reforms.

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