Nigerian unions dug in for a lengthy battle with the government of Africa's top oil producer on Friday after the collapse of talks on the third day of a general strike over fuel prices. Unions threatened to extend the strike, which has already crippled most sectors of the economy, to essential services such as water and power.
The authorities said they would no longer turn a blind eye to illegal union tactics such as blockades of highways and fuel depots, and harassment of workers. Oil officials feared an extended protest could even start to shut oilfields and tanker terminals, which have so far survived the protest in the world's eighth largest exporter.
Talks with the government broke down shortly before dawn as unions insisted on a full reversal of a 10-naira (8-cent) increase in the price of petrol. The government stuck to its offer to reduce the price by only 5 naira. "I don't know which word is stronger, deadlock or stalemate ... The strike continues," said Abdulwahed Omar, head of the Nigeria Labour Congress, an umbrella union body.
The dispute has ended a honeymoon for newly inaugurated President Umaru Yar'Adua, who inherited the highly unpopular price increase from his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo, when he took office on May 29.
Streets in the central business district of the largest city Lagos were deserted, but for a few small groups of gangsters and street hawkers selling consumer goods.
Government offices and most private businesses, including banks and markets, were closed. Hospital patients left their beds to seek traditional healers because doctors were on strike.
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