VZCZCXRO3261
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #1326/01 1731341
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221341Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9984
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0394
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0395
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 7213
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 001326 
 
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: PGOV ELAB PREL PHUM ENRG ASEC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: NATIONAL LABOR STRIKE - SITREP #4 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 1319 
 
     ¶B. ABUJA 1317 
     ¶C. ABUJA 1303 
     ¶D. ABUJA 1302 
     ¶E. ABUJA 1294 
     ¶F. ABUJA 1278 
     ¶G. ABUJA 1155 
 
ABUJA 00001326  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET 
DISTRIBUTION. 
 
¶1. SUMMARY.  (SBU) As Nigeria enters Day Three of the 
national labor strike, fuel availability and transportation 
remain critical problems.  Though the strike remains 
peaceful, road blocks (some set up by labor sympathizers and 
others by groups of hoodlums) have been reported in Jos, 
Gombe, Kano and Lagos.  Labor activists reportedly "enforcing 
the strike" were arrested and later released in Enugu.  Oil 
production and exports remain largely unaffected by the 
strike, as essential and management personnel take over 
operations.  International airline travel remains on schedule 
and some domestic flights are operational.  Negotiations 
between the GON and labor leaders ended in the early morning 
hours of June 22 with the two sides still in deadlock -- and 
labor increasing their demands to include a GON promise not 
to raise fuel prices for one year.  END SUMMARY. 
 
STATUS OF NEGOTIATIONS 
---------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Representatives of the NLC and TUC met with GON 
negotiator Secretary to the Government of the Federation 
Babagana Kingibe until 2:30 AM on the morning of June 22. 
The talks ended with the labor groups storming out of the 
meeting room and refusing to compromise on their demands. 
The NLC and TUC have added the demand that the GON guarantee 
it will not raise the price of gas for one year (in addition 
to the demand that gas be returned to the 65 Naira per liter 
price).  No formal meeting has been scheduled for June 22, 
but informal discussions continue between both sides. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Following the negotiating session, Kingibe told 
reporters the unwillingness of the labor groups to compromise 
was the sole reason the strike continues.  According to 
Kingibe, the GON will enforce labor laws, which guarantee 
freedom of movement and transportation and the right of 
workers desiring to report to work during the strike to do 
so.  In addition, Kingibe noted that the GON will focus on 
providing security to gas stations and depots to ensure that 
the fuel shortage is resolved.  For its part, the National 
Labor Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have 
promised to pull the electrical workers into the strike and 
effect a blackout if their demands are not met. 
 
EFFECTS OF THE STRIKE 
--------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Petroleum production and exports remain largely 
unaffected. AGIP reports that "everyone is working" and that 
the company's Brass terminal expects to load a tanker due to 
arrive today.  ExxonMobil reported essential services 
continue to operate as normal, as does the company's Qua Iboe 
export terminal (strictly protect).  Post remains unable to 
confirm the status of Chevron and Shell's operations. 
 
¶5. (SBU)  International airline travel into and out of Abuja 
and Lagos is running on schedule and a few domestic Virgin 
Nigeria flights ran between the two cities on June 21 and 22. 
 Domestic carrier Arik Air is grounded, although it is 
unclear whether this grounding is a result of a pre-existing 
fuel shortage or the strike.  Post Management Staff has been 
told that international flights are arriving fully loaded 
 
ABUJA 00001326  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
with fuel in order to avoid the need to refuel in Nigeria. 
 
REPORTS FROM AROUND NIGERIA 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) ABUJA: Traffic remains much lighter than normal and 
fuel lines are longer than they have been in previous days. 
Several fuel stations within the city center are open and 
have fuel; however, LES staff report stations outside the 
city center are closed due to lack of fuel.  Fuel shortages 
had a noticeable impact on attendance at the National Mosque 
on Friday afternoon.  Although normally teaming with cars and 
busloads of worshipers, only a few cars and individuals on 
foot were present.  Grocery stores frequented by expats have 
reopened and, though still much fewer than normal, there 
appear to be some van-transport vehicles on the road. 
Medical personnel at the Abuja City Hospital have joined the 
strike, with a small core staff seeing only life-or-death 
emergency cases.  Embassy Abuja reports at least one 
contractor, the local moving company with which we work, that 
has been on strike all week but agreed to bring its workers 
in on Saturday to conduct pack-outs.  According to the 
company's representatives, its possible to use unmarked 
trucks on weekends that won't draw the attention of the labor 
groups.  No violence has been reported in the Abuja Federal 
Capital Territory (FCT).  Police report they have deployed 
7,000 officers to stratgeic locations around the FCT to 
ensure security. 
 
¶7. (SBU) LAGOS: The Ambassador, upon making the 2-hour drive 
from the airport to ConGen Lagos in under 20 minutes, 
described Lagos as completely shut down.  There was a clash, 
confirmed by RSO, between police and "area boys" near the 
Oblinda market; however, it was quickly brought under 
control.  (NOTE: Such clashes are not unusual and this is not 
necessarily related to the strike.)  Press has reported that 
tear gas was used at one barricaded street in Lagos to 
disperse the crowd. 
 
¶8. (SBU) ENUGU (Enugu State): Police arrested tha NLC State 
Chairman and 45 labor activists for "enforcing compliance" 
with the strike at the main city market.  (COMMENT: The exact 
tone of this "enforcement" is unclear at this time; however, 
the press report stated the interchange was peaceful.)  The 
individuals were later released.  Government offices, banks, 
schools and universities were reported closed; however, there 
were reports of banks and other businesses conducting 
back-door transactions. 
 
¶9. (SBU) AKURE (Ondo State): Post has received conflicting 
reports that businesses and banks are open as usual and that 
all offices are closed.  Press reports all filling stations 
in the city are closed and without fuel. 
 
¶10. (SBU) ILORIN (Kwara State): The State House of Assembly 
was closed and screening of state commissioners (set for June 
21) was postponed until after the strike.  The State 
Elections Tribunal was also closed. 
¶11. (SBU) KADUNA (Kaduna State): Okada riders (commercial 
motorcycle riders who ferry passengers and merchandise) took 
to the streets protesting the fuel price hike.  Black market 
gas prices were reported at 1,000 Naira per gallon (7.75 USD 
per gallon). 
 
¶12. (SBU) MINNA (Niger State): Press reports relatives 
removed patients from local hospitals as the strike left many 
without medical personnel and caregivers. 
 
¶13. (SBU) LAKOJA (Kogi State): Teachers, who had kept schools 
open on June 20, joined the strike on June 21.  Filling 
stations either closed or had long lines as fuel shortages 
became worse.  As a result of fuel scarcity, the cost of 
 
ABUJA 00001326  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
okada transport more than doubled. 
 
¶14. (SBU) SOKOTO (Sokoto State): The strike is only being 
partially observed in Sokoto State.  There are reports that 
no one is attempting to enforce or encourage the strike. 
Banks are reportedly closed; however, government offices, 
schools and other businesses are open.  Due to fuel 
shortages, gas stations raised their price to 105 - 120 Naira 
per liter (3 - 3.50 USD per gallon). 
 
¶15. (SBU) JOS (Plateau State): Government offices and banks 
were reported closed, while other commercial establishments 
and commercial transport drivers were reportedly operating. 
Press reports that hoodlums blocked roads in town; however, 
police were able to reopen the routes. 
 
¶16. (SBU) LAFIA (Nasarawa State): Labor groups held peaceful 
protests on June 21 in the capital.  The groups attempted to 
call on the governor, but were turned back. 
 
¶17. (SBU) WARRI (Delta State): Observance of the strike was 
only partial.  Some government offices did not open, but some 
banks and most commercial activities conducted usual 
operations.  In Warri itself, gas was reportedly only 
available on the black market -- at a cost of more than 150 
Naira per liter (4.40 USD per gallon).  Security around Warri 
was reportedly higher and more visible than normal. 
 
¶18. (SBU) BAUCHI (Bauchi State): Government offices were 
closed, with the exception of the Governor's office where 
operations went on as normal.  Junior workers at the state 
media companies joined the strike and press operations were 
carried out by management staff. 
 
¶19. (SBU) AWKA (Anambra State): According to the Obi of 
Onitsha, the supreme traditional ruler of Anambra State, 
business is going on "as usual" in the state.  Schools, 
hospitals, banks and businesses are all open and conducting 
business.  Government offices in Awka are closed. 
EFFECT ON MISSION NIGERIA 
------------------------- 
 
¶20. (SBU) Mission Nigeria will continue to restrict 
discretionary domestic air travel, but will facilitate 
international travel and those returning home.  All 
non-essential road travel outside of Abuja or Lagos is 
restricted.  Control officers have been instructed to inform 
incoming TDY personnel that may have planned to travel 
outside of Abuja or Lagos of these new travel restrictions. 
The Mission has sufficient fuel available to continue normal 
operations.  LES staff are thus far able to travel to and 
from work without problem and Post is allowing LES staff to 
refuel on a limited basis at our fuel pumps.  The local bank 
with which the Embassy works is open for "special customers" 
and Embassy Abuja continues to receive necessary cash.  The 
ATM machine in the lobby used by our LES staff was refilled 
on June 21. 
CAMPBELL