ABUJA (AFP) – The Federal Government has reached a decision on how to move forward in a dispute over fuel prices that has caused a week-long strike which has shut down the country, the mediator in the crisis said Sunday.
Senate President David Mark, who has been mediating between the government and labour leaders, made the comments ahead of an expected national address by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He had just met with Jonathan along with state governors and lawmakers involved in the talks.
“I think this is the best meeting we have had,” Mark told journalists. “Definitely this night, you will know the decision. A decision is already taken and that decision is what the nation will be waiting for.”
A nationwide strike and protests that began January 9 has brought tens of thousands into the streets and shut down Africa’s most populous nation.
The strike was put on hold for the weekend, but labour leaders said it will resume on Monday if a deal is not reached.
The strike followed a government move to end fuel subsidies on January 1, which led petrol prices to more than double overnight.
Talks to resolve the crisis on Thursday and Saturday ended without a deal, with unions pressing for a return to pre-January 1 petrol prices before any further negotations.
Presidential aides said Jonathan was expected to give an address on Sunday evening, but it had not been officially confirmed.
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