Nigeria: October 14, 2004

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Labor unions have suspended their nationwide strike, and given the government two weeks to lower gasoline prices. Most gasoline is still imported, despite government pledges to get Nigerian refineries working again. The gasoline import program was begun in the 1990s because it made it easier for government officials to steal money (from the exported oil sold, and the imported gasoline being bought.) The two weeks of negotiations will involved government discussions with labor union leaders over how large a bribe will be required to make the strike go away permanently.