Union leaders in Nigeria have called off a week-long nationwide strike that has been paralysing the country’s economy, following a decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to roll back fuel-price increases.
Jonathan announced on Monday that he would reduce fuel prices in response to protests and strikes that sprang up after his government withdrew fuel subsidies at the beginning of January.
But his announcement failed to quell all of the protests, and soldiers reportedly used force to shut down demonstrations in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital.
Under Goodluck’s new plan, the Nigerian government will reduce fuel prices by 30 per cent, to around $2.75 per gallon, by restoring some of the subsidies. That price is still considerably higher than the roughly $1.70 per gallon Nigerians paid before the subsidies were removed.
Tear gas in Lagos
The strike cancellation came after an announcement by the unions, early on Monday morning, that they would halt street protests.
The unions feared that “people outside organised labour may try to hijack” the demonstrations, said Abdulwahed Omar, the head of Nigeria Labour Congress.
Still, security forces opened fire into the air and used tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters who came out in Lagos.
An AFP news agency correspondent said soldiers first shot into the air to disperse the protesters before
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