ABUJA, Nigeria, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A Nigerian labor union said it is halting a strike over recently cut fuel subsidies Friday for two days to allow protesters time to stock up on food and water.
The suspension of the strike comes after reports that protesters were running out of basic needs, CNN reported.
Protesters are demanding the government reinstate fuel subsidies that were eliminated Jan. 1, The Nation reported.
"People of all walks are coming out to protest," said Olumide Adeleye, a Lagos entrepreneur. "There are young people and old people. People parking their Mercedes-Benzes and Land Rovers. People walking barefoot."
Union leaders said talks with Nigeria's president Thursday were "fruitful," but said they would not meet again until Saturday.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association said Thursday it would take "the bitter option" of shutting down oil and gas production Sunday if the government does not reinstate the subsidy.
The Nigerian government has given union leaders two options for the reinstatement of the $1.50 per gallon price of gasoline, Vanguard reported.
The first option is to temporarily revert to the pre-New Year price of $1.50 per gallon of gasoline and completely remove the subsidy in April. The second is to allow the $1.50 cent selling price of gas and withdraw 80 percent of the subsidy in March.
