LAGOS: SECOND LABOR UPDATE

UNCLAS LAGOS 001448

SIPDIS

DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAYE
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENANDER
DOC FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE PASS EX-IM FOR JRICHTER AND KVRANICH
STATE PASS OPIC FOR ZHAN AND JEDWARDS
STATE PASS TDA FOR NCABOT AND BTERNET

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB EPET KDEM PGOV NI
SUBJECT: LAGOS: SECOND LABOR UPDATE

REF: LAGOS 1429


1. The Benin City rally to protest increased fuel prices was
big and fortunately took place without major incident. When
protestors reached the Governor's office complex, they found
the gate locked. Rally organizers were not able to enter to
present the letter of protest. Marchers started to become
agitated until the Governor himself came out to receive the
letter.


2. As happened in Lagos (reftel),unarmed police officials
accompanied protestors. They estimated between 20,000 and
30,000 participants by the time the procession reached the
Governor's office. The march stretched over approximately 20
kilometers. The next rally is planned for Kano on September

20. With Kano being the North's largest city, this next
procession could even be larger. There will be a total of
six marches, one for each geopolitical zone in Nigeria
(reftel).
BROWNE