VZCZCXRO0689
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1302/01 1711346
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201346Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9951
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0385
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0386
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 7189
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 001302 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DRL, AF/W 
PLEASE PASS USTR FOR AGAMA 
DOL FOR SUDHA DALEY 
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY 
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS 
TREASURY FOR DAN PETERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM ENRG EAIR NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NATIONAL LABOR STRIKE -- SITREP #1 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 1294 
     ¶B. ABUJA 1278 
     ¶C. ABUJA 1155 
 
ABUJA 00001302  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET 
DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade 
Union Congress (TUC) initiated a national labor strike at 
midnight on the morning on June 20.  Oil companies report 
that essential personnel have reported for work and there is 
no impact as of yet on production.  Airports closed in Abuja 
and Lagos by mid-day and fuel shortages have significantly 
reduced traffic.  Public transportation is sparse to 
non-existent across the country and prices of personal and 
public transportation are reported to have increased as much 
as 400 percent.  The situation remains calm and no violence 
has been reported anywhere as of mid-day June 20.  While all 
is calm at present, the concern is that the strike will 
snowball into an outlet for pent-up frustration that has been 
building since prior to the elections. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) NLC and TUC leaders confirmed acceptance of the June 
19 GON offer to rescind the VAT increase, implement the 
public servant salary increase, and review the Port Harcourt 
and Kaduna refinery sales.  The issue of the gas price 
increase remains unresolved.  On June 19, the GON offered to 
reduce the price to 70 Naira per liter; however, labor 
remains steadfast in its demand that the price be returned to 
65 Naira per liter, insisting that former President 
Obasanjo's unilateral price increase was unlawful (Ref. A). 
Although both NLC and TUC leadership have confirmed to Poloff 
that the review of the refinery sales is a satisfactory 
concession, popular opinion is that a "review" is just an 
empty promise. 
 
EFFECTS ON INDUSTRY / TRANSPORTATION 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Oil companies Chevron and Agip report that there has 
been no impact on their operations (as of noon on June 20). 
Essential personnel have remained on post and are expected to 
consider joining the strike only if it goes on for several 
days.  This information was confirmed by TUC leadership, who 
added that essential personnel in PENGASSAN and NUPENG would 
be called on to join in the strike if deemed necessary. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Airports in Abuja and Lagos were open, though 
operating on a reduced staff, until approximately noon on 
June 20.  As of noon, baggage handlers and staff of major 
domestic airlines left their posts and domestic air travel 
ceased.  The British Airways flight to Abuja on June 20 
arrived and departed again (per schedule) without incident. 
No other international flights are scheduled to arrive in 
Abuja on June 20.  At Lagos airport, Lufthansa, Air France, 
Emirates, Qatar and North American report flights for June 20 
are on schedule.  Virgin Atlantic and Ethiopian Airlines have 
canceled their flights into Lagos for June 19 and 20. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Fuel shortages remain a serious problem throughout 
the country and post has received reports from some areas 
that fuel stations are simply closed.  Black market gas 
prices are reported as high as 430 Naira per liter.  Embassy 
staff was told by gas and diesel distributors in Abuja that 
there is fuel available, but there is no way to deliver it. 
Diesel tankers in Lagos are delivering fuel, but at twice the 
normal price. 
 
SITUATION AROUND THE COUNTRY 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) ABUJA:  No violence reported.  Access roads into 
 
ABUJA 00001302  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
Abuja from the airport, Kubwa and Karu (Abuja suburbs) are 
blocked by civilians; however, other routes into the city are 
open.  A few roadblocks and burning tires within the city 
center were removed by police early in the day on June 20. 
There is a significant police presence on Abuja streets and 
there are police checkpoints reported on some access roads 
leading into the city.  Public transportation is sparse and 
fares have increased dramatically.  Government offices, 
schools and businesses are closed.  Hospitals are confirmed 
open and accepting patients. 
 
¶7. (SBU) LAGOS: No violence reported; however, there have 
been reports that groups of "area boys" are attempting to 
enforce the strike.  Civilians have blocked some access road 
into/out of Lagos and there are reports that intercity buses 
are not being allowed to pass.  Traffic is reported to be 
very light and security contacts report traffic volume is 
down 20 percent.  Public transportation is sparse and fares 
have increased as much as 400 percent. 
 
¶8. (SBU) MAKURDI (Benue State): No violence reported. 
Civilians have blocked roads and are enforcing a stay-at-home 
order.  Markets are closed and contacts report little or no 
vehicular movement.  The situation in Gboko is reported as 
"tense;" however, no violence has occurred their either. 
 
¶9. (SBU) JOS (Plateau State): No violence reported.  Schools 
and markets were reported open in the city center on the 
morning of June 20; however, contacts indicate they closed 
early in the afternoon.  Vehicles are reportedly moving 
unhindered. 
 
¶10. (SBU) KADUNA (Kaduna State): No violence reported.  Most 
businesses are reported closed and traffic is light. 
Contacts reported Kaduna is "much quieter than normal." 
 
¶11. (SBU) KANO (Kano State): No violence reported. 
Government offices and businesses were reported open in the 
morning, but closed about noon.  Gas stations are reported 
closed and the black market rate for gas is 430 Naira per 
liter. 
 
¶12. (SBU) SOKOTO (Sokoto State): No violence reported. 
Contacts reported some businesses remain open; however, labor 
leaders are visiting open businesses and asking them to 
close.  Black market gas prices are reported at 800 Naira per 
liter.  Little to no traffic is present on the streets. 
 
¶13. (SBU) DUTSE (Jigawa State): No violence reported. 
Contacts report no evidence of the strike.  Government 
offices and businesses are operating normally. 
 
¶14. (SBU) BAUCHI (Bauchi State): No violence reported. 
Government offices, businesses, schools and hospitals are 
closed.  Contacts report only the Red Cross is providing 
emergency medical care.  There is no public transportation 
and traffic is reportedly light.  Civilians have closed some 
roads. 
 
¶15. (SBU) MAIDUGARI (Borno State): No violence reported. 
Government offices, businesses, schools and hospitals are 
closed.  A few local markets are open.  The state government 
has called for no movement.  Roads are open but traffic is 
reportedly almost non-existent.  Black market gas prices are 
reported at 650 Naira per liter. 
 
COMMENT: THE SNOWBALL EFFECT 
---------------------------- 
 
¶16. (SBU) COMMENT.  All is quiet at the moment and that is a 
good sign.  However, there is significant concern the strike 
could "snowball" and become an outlet for pent-up frustration 
 
ABUJA 00001302  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
from this spring's elections and prior.  There is certainly 
plenty of pent-up anger and frustration that is looking for 
an outlet.  The challenge for the labor movement is in 
keeping the focus on the gas price.  Both the opposition ANPP 
and the AC have endorsed the general strike.  END COMMENT. 
 
MISSION RESPONSE 
---------------- 
 
¶17. (SBU) Mission Nigeria has limited travel outside Abuja 
and Lagos and curtailed discretionary air travel.  A warden 
notice will be issued to the Amcit population advising of the 
situation. 
 
This is a joint message from Embassy Abuja and ConGen Lagos. 
CAMPBELL