US embassy cable - 04LAGOS2071

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 002071 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR EB 
STATE FOR DRL 
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN 
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION MARAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB, PGOV, NI, PHUM, EPET 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA NATIONWIDE STRIKE SITREP #1 - OCTOBER 11 
 
REF: LAGOS 2068 
 
1. SUMMARY. Two days before a planned nation-wide 
stay-at-home strike, the State Security Service (SSS) 
detained and then released National Labor Congress (NLC) 
President Adams Oshiomhole in Abuja.  According to the press, 
Oshiomole alleged he was "manhandled" during his brief 
detention.  The strike commenced October 11 as planned and is 
thus far being observed widely.  Most schools and businesses 
are closed.  Oil companies are running limited operations, 
but say production has not been affected.   President 
Obasanjo has reportedly formed a 32-member committee, 
including labor,  to examine the fuel price issue, which led 
to the strike. Relatively low-level sporadic violence and 
harassment have been reported.  End summary. 
 
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NLC President Oshiomhole Detained and Released 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2. The State Security Service (SSS) arrested NLC President 
Adams Oshiomhole at the Abuja airport on Saturday.  According 
to the press, Oshiomhole alleges he was "manhandled" by the 
security services before being released.  Press accounts of 
the extent of Oshiomhole's injuries varied widely, ranging 
from a spike in blood pressure to a dislocated leg.  Numerous 
political and civil society figures condemned Oshiomhole's 
arrest. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Nationwide Strike Commences, 
Widespread and Mostly Peacefully 
-------------------------------- 
 
3.  The nationwide stay-at-home strike commenced as planned, 
October 11.  There is widespread observance of the strike 
throughout southern Nigeria.  Most schools and businesses are 
closed.  Very little commercial transportation is available. 
While some senior executives are able to report to work, the 
vast majority of workers, who depend on public transportation 
could not go to work, even if they so desired. Most 
businesses are expected to re-open after 4:00 p.m. 
 
4.  The first phase of the strike is planned to last until 
Octber 14.  The strike will be suspended for two weeks to 
provide government time to roll back the price increase as 
well as to give the populace a respite.  If the price 
increase is not retracted after two weeks, the strike will 
resume indefinitely.  Labor leaders also reserved the right 
to extend the initial four-day strike should there be clashes 
between security forces and labor activists resulting in 
casualties. 
 
------------------------------- 
Some Key Sectors Uninterrupted 
------------------------------- 
 
5.  Although some oil companies are operating with skeletal 
staffs, executives tell us that oil production has not been 
affected.  International airlines at Murtala Muhammed 
International Airport (MMIA) also continue to operate 
normally.  Most domestic airlines appear to have operated out 
of MMIA today, though there were unconfirmed reports of 
aviation fuel rationing.  The Warri airport was reported 
closed. 
 
--------------------------------- 
GON - Labor Talks in the Offing ? 
--------------------------------- 
6. Television news reported that President Obasanjo has 
formed a 32-member committee to examine the fuel price issue. 
The committee consists of representatives of labor, 
government, and civil society, as well as the oil and gas and 
manufacturing industries. 
 
7. Post also received reports that Obasanjo has scheduled a 
staekholders meeting.  According to these as of yet 
unconfirmed reports, Oshiomhole will lead the labor team, and 
Obasanjo will head the government's delegation. 
 
(Comment: Currently, we do not knw if the 32-person committee 
and the stakeholder meeting are one and the same.  End 
Comment.) 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Strike Reports from the Field in Southern Nigeria 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
Lagos 
----- 
8. Most of Lagos is peaceful, with incidents of violence in a 
few areas. A heavy police presence was reported around the 
city. Schools are closed and few private or commercial 
vehicles are operating. Most gas stations are closed. 
 
9. National Electric Power Authority employees reported to 
work. The Lagos office of the Central Bank of Nigeria is 
open.  Commercial banks are opened with a skeletal staff; few 
customers are demanding service. The Nigerian stock exchange 
is open. 
10. NLC teams are on the streets to assess the extent of 
compliance with the strike.  "Area boys" flying NLC flags are 
reported to have hijacked commercial buses in some areas and 
used them to harass motorists found on the road. No incidents 
have been reported on Victoria and Ikoyi Islands; movement on 
the islands is not expected to be a problem. 
 
Port Harcourt 
------------- 
11. The strike appears to be progressing  peacefully in the 
city.  Police made public announcements in the morning 
warning people not to gather or rally. There is little 
vehicular traffic.  The oil unions, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, 
said their members are observing the strike, except for 
essential workers. Oil companies are operating with skeletal 
staffs.  Production has not been affected thus far. 
 
Warri 
----- 
12. Few motorists are on the roads. The airport is closed. 
NUPENG and PENGASSAN members are observing the strike, except 
for essential workers. Banks are not servicing customers. 
Public schools are closed. Private schools are open with 
minimal staffing. The Delta Broadcasting Service is not 
operating. 
 
Escravos 
--------- 
13. Oil facilities at Escravos are operating normally. 
 
Bayelsa 
-------- 
14. Schools are closed. Most shops and offices are closed to 
customers. Banks are not attending customers. Some private 
hospitals are closed. Police presence is heavy in strategic 
locations, around the capital Yenogoa. 
 
Calabar 
------- 
15. The city is quiet. Most businesses are closed. 
 
Ibadan 
------ 
16. The city is peaceful. Many informal sector businesses 
(produce stands, etc.) are operating. Schools are closed. 
 
Onitsha 
------- 
17. People are moving freely. Business is as usual. 
 
Enugu 
----- 
18. Few vehicles are on the road. Some markets and businesses 
are open. Commuters are moving undisturbed. The State Civil 
Secretariat is closed. Civil servants have gone home. School 
 
SIPDIS 
children who went to school in the morning returned home 
because teachers would not teach. 
 
Benin City 
---------- 
19. University students are making bonfires in front of their 
campus, while police officers on patrol are removing fires 
from the roads. Businesses are closed, but no reports have 
been received of people being molested. Police are deployed 
to strategic locations around the city. 
BROWNE