Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    January 10, 2012

Nigerian Fuel Strike Enters 2nd Day

   VOA News
   Angry youths burn debris following the removal of a fuel subsidy by the
   government in Lagos, Nigeria, January 10, 2012.
   Photo: AP
   Angry youths burn debris following the removal of a fuel subsidy by the
   government in Lagos, Nigeria, January 10, 2012.

   Nigerian police stood guard Tuesday as tens of thousands of people
   protested soaring fuel costs for a second day and unions vowed to
   continue a nationwide strike.
   The demonstrations disrupted business in major cities, including the
   commercial capital, Lagos where angry youths set up burning tires to
   block access to a wealthy district.
   The strike is aimed at forcing the government to restore a popular fuel
   subsidy eliminated on Jan. 1, a move that caused fuel prices to double
   in a single day.
   Some stone-wielding protesters, such as Danjuma Mohamed, shouted
   anti-government slogans during the protests.
   "We are no longer afraid of you," he said. "We are ready for war if
   that is what you want."
   Thousands of people also demonstrated in the capital, Abuja. The crowds
   grew so large that police had to bring in extra units to help keep
   order.
   There were no immediate reports of casualties during Tuesday's
   demonstrations.
   On Monday, government officials and witnesses said three people were
   killed during clashes between police and demonstrators. One of the
   deaths was reported in Lagos and two others in the northern city of
   Kano.
   Since President Goodluck Jonathan eliminated the subsidy, food and
   transportation costs have also soared.
   Jonathan has so far refused to reinstate the subsidy, calling it
   unsustainable. He says its elimination will save the government at
   least $8 billion this year, which he promises to use on infrastructure
   and social programs.
   Some economists have called the subsidy corrupt and wasteful, saying it
   encouraged smuggling into neighboring countries where fuel was more
   expensive.
   But many in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer and a country where
   most people live on less than $2 a day, say the fuel subsidy was one of
   the few tangible ways that ordinary citizens benefited from the
   country's massive oil wealth.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.