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| Nigeria unions join fuel strike | Nigeria unions join fuel strike |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Nigeria's trade union federation is to join a strike over recent rises in petrol prices and value-added tax. | Nigeria's trade union federation is to join a strike over recent rises in petrol prices and value-added tax. |
| "We have decided to go on an indefinite strike beginning on Wednesday," trade union leader Nuhu Toro told the BBC. | "We have decided to go on an indefinite strike beginning on Wednesday," trade union leader Nuhu Toro told the BBC. |
| The trade unions had warned the new government of President Umaru Yar'Adua to reverse the increases two weeks ago or face a national strike. | The trade unions had warned the new government of President Umaru Yar'Adua to reverse the increases two weeks ago or face a national strike. |
| Long queues are already being reported at petrol stations after transport and oil unions went on strike on Friday. | Long queues are already being reported at petrol stations after transport and oil unions went on strike on Friday. |
| Street protests will accompany the general strike, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwahed Omar said. | Street protests will accompany the general strike, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Abdulwahed Omar said. |
| "All offices, ports, banks, petrol stations and business premises will be shut down. All schools, airports, official and semi-official business premises will be closed," Mr Omar told a news conference in the capital, Abuja. | "All offices, ports, banks, petrol stations and business premises will be shut down. All schools, airports, official and semi-official business premises will be closed," Mr Omar told a news conference in the capital, Abuja. |
| The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja says there is anger at economic decisions taken in the last days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. | The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali in Abuja says there is anger at economic decisions taken in the last days of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. |
| He says the next few days could be the first real test for the new leader. | He says the next few days could be the first real test for the new leader. |
| Talks between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the new government broke down over the 15% rise in fuel prices and a VAT increase from 5% to 10%. | Talks between the Nigeria Labour Congress and the new government broke down over the 15% rise in fuel prices and a VAT increase from 5% to 10%. |
| The union also wants Nigeria's new President, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, to reverse Mr Obasanjo's sale of two of the country's refineries. | The union also wants Nigeria's new President, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, to reverse Mr Obasanjo's sale of two of the country's refineries. |
| Walking to work | |
| The impact of the strike is already being felt by many Nigerians who had to walk long distances to work on Monday. | |
| The strike could be Umaru Yar'Adua's first real test | |
| There were a few taxis and buses working in the capital, Abuja. | |
| "Even the few taxis and minibuses that are on the road today are charging higher fares because of the new petrol price," says Musa Abdullahi, a security man who had to walk to work. | |
| "The hardship we are facing in the country is too much," another Nigerian in Abuja told the BBC. | |
| Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer but attacks and kidnappings of foreign oil workers by Niger Delta militants have cut production. | Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer but attacks and kidnappings of foreign oil workers by Niger Delta militants have cut production. |
| Despite the oil wealth, most Nigerians live in poverty. | Despite the oil wealth, most Nigerians live in poverty. |