This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6766465.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Nigeria U-turn over strike threat Nigerian union strike goes ahead
(about 5 hours later)
Nigeria's government has made a series of last-minute concessions to trade unions, aimed at averting a general strike due to start on Wednesday. Nigeria's trade unions say they are going ahead with Wednesday's general strike despite government concessions.
Sources say the government has offered to reduce a fuel price rise, suspend a value-added tax hike and raise civil service salaries by 15%. The Nigeria Labour Congress say they are sticking to their demands for a scrapping of increases in fuel prices and value-added tax.
These were the main demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress. They will respond during talks beginning shortly. They also want the government to reverse the sale of oil refineries.
The government has met most of these conditions but not on the refineries. The strike is seen as a major test for new President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The government has reached a separate deal with oil and transport unions.The government has reached a separate deal with oil and transport unions.
They went on strike last Friday, leading to biting fuel shortages.They went on strike last Friday, leading to biting fuel shortages.
Bus fares doubledBus fares doubled
The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali says the streets of the capital, Abuja, and the biggest city, Lagos, are virtually empty of cars because of the lack of petrol.The BBC's Mannir Dan Ali says the streets of the capital, Abuja, and the biggest city, Lagos, are virtually empty of cars because of the lack of petrol.
Those who are in power don't really know how the people feel Taiwo OgunloyeLagos resident 'I will stay at home' The unions were angry at a series of measures pushed though in the last days of the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, who stepped down last month.Those who are in power don't really know how the people feel Taiwo OgunloyeLagos resident 'I will stay at home' The unions were angry at a series of measures pushed though in the last days of the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, who stepped down last month.
Our reporter says the strike threat provides the first major test for new President Umaru Yar'Adua.Our reporter says the strike threat provides the first major test for new President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The price of petrol was increased from 65 naira (51 US cents) a litre to 75.The price of petrol was increased from 65 naira (51 US cents) a litre to 75.
The government has now reportedly offered to reduce this to 70 naira (55 cents).The government has now reportedly offered to reduce this to 70 naira (55 cents).
Transport fares have doubled in some areas following the fuel price hike.Transport fares have doubled in some areas following the fuel price hike.
The government has also offered to increase civil service salaries by 15% - another union demand.
The NLC says it will urge all of Nigeria's workers to start an indefinite strike unless the government meets its demands.The NLC says it will urge all of Nigeria's workers to start an indefinite strike unless the government meets its demands.
"Those who are in power don't really know how the people feel," Lagos resident Taiwo Ogunloye told the BBC's Network Africa programme."Those who are in power don't really know how the people feel," Lagos resident Taiwo Ogunloye told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He said he would join in the strike and stay at home and watch TV "as long as there is light", he said.He said he would join in the strike and stay at home and watch TV "as long as there is light", he said.
The government has also said it will consult with unions on the privatisation of two of the country's biggest oil refineries to allies of Mr Obasanjo.
Tough choiceTough choice
Dino Mahthani, West Africa correspondent of the UK's Financial Times, told the BBC that the government was stuck between a rock and a hard place on the refineries.Dino Mahthani, West Africa correspondent of the UK's Financial Times, told the BBC that the government was stuck between a rock and a hard place on the refineries.
He says that despite being a major oil producer, it has hardly any refining capacity because the equipment is in such a poor state.He says that despite being a major oil producer, it has hardly any refining capacity because the equipment is in such a poor state.
The strike could be Umaru Yar'Adua's first real testThe strike could be Umaru Yar'Adua's first real test
To give the owners an incentive to put money into the refineries, the government should stop subsidising the price of fuel, he says.To give the owners an incentive to put money into the refineries, the government should stop subsidising the price of fuel, he says.
But this would lead to a lot of angry people in the cities, who would accuse the government of making their lives harder, he says.But this would lead to a lot of angry people in the cities, who would accuse the government of making their lives harder, he says.
A further complication is that the new owners are among the richest people in the country, with strong links to the ruling party.A further complication is that the new owners are among the richest people in the country, with strong links to the ruling party.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but had to import most of its petrol because of the poor state of its refineries.Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but had to import most of its petrol because of the poor state of its refineries.