Nigerian gov't promises to address fuel hike amid protest

Nigeria's Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) Ufot Ekaette said Thursday that the government would consider the Nigerian umbrella workers union's request for a review of the recent fuel price hike.

When receiving a letter from the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) on the need to review the increase in fuel prices at its final rally in Abuja, Ekaette said: "As a listening government, we will do all we can to address what is contained in this letter."

He added that before the rally there were series of meetings to find a solution to the fuel hike, assuring that the letter would be delivered "by foot" to President Olusegun Obasanjo in the villa.

Ekaette commended labor for a peaceful rally, saying: "we are by you and will work to achieve the objective of this administration."

According to NLC President Adams Oshiomhole, the government has effected an increase on fuel price eight times since 1999.

"From 15 naira (about 12 US cents) in May 1999 to between 65 naira and 75 naira (about 50 cents and 58 cents) per liter depending on the part of the country where you operate from," Oshiomhole said.

He noted that not only were Nigerians groaning but that "the unseen obituaries of industries were also part of the groaning."

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Malam Nasir El-Rufai was heckled by a mammoth crowd, who converged at the Eagle Square for the rally.

The crowd, who did a 15 km peace walk led by Oshiomhole and members of the civil societies, had converged at the square for the final address.

The crowd carried placards with inscriptions that condemned the policies and programs of the FCT administration while the rally was gradually turning unruly. The NLC in early September decided to hold a nationwide two-phase mass rally to protest against an average 30 percent hike in fuel prices.

Source: Xinhua