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    January 03, 2012

Nigerians Protest End to Fuel Subsidy

   VOA News
   Protesters hold placards, shout slogans on Ikorodu road in Nigeria's
   commercial capital, Lagos, Jan. 3, 2012.
   Photo: Reuters
   Protesters hold placards, shout slogans on Ikorodu road in Nigeria's
   commercial capital, Lagos, January 3, 2012.

   Protesters in Nigeria have marched against a government decision to end
   a popular consumer fuel subsidy, which has sent prices soaring in the
   oil-rich nation.

                                                    Fuel Prices in Nigeria
     * New Gas Station Price: $0.89 per liter
     * Previous Gas Station Price: $0.40 per liter
     * New Black Market Price: $1:25 per liter

   Demonstrators in Lagos Tuesday chanted as they carried banners and
   signs critical of President Goodluck Jonathan. Some protesters went to
   gas stations to disrupt business.
   But Nigerian officials are touting the elimination of the $7.5 billion
   fuel subsidy.
   The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, said
   Tuesday Nigeria's citizens and its economy will realize the benefits
   right away.
   Jonathan has said ending the subsidy will allow the government to fund
   infrastructure and social programs.
   The fuel subsidy was one of the few benefits of Nigeria's oil wealth
   enjoyed by the average Nigerian, who earns less than $2 per day.
   The Nigeria Labor Congress and the Trade Union Congress say eliminating
   the subsidy is "callous and insensitive."
   Nigeria produces more than two million barrels of crude oil a day. But
   it must import refined fuel because Nigeria's refineries lack proper
   infrastructure and management.
   Militants in oil-rich southern Nigeria attacked government and oil
   industry targets for years, demanding that more oil revenue be spent on
   impoverished communities in the region.
   The attacks largely stopped after a government amnesty in 2009, but oil
   firms still battle tapping and sabotage of their pipelines.
   Some lawmakers in the House of Representatives have said they will
   fight to bring back the fuel subsidy.

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

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