2006年VOA标准英语-Unions in Nigeria Say Oil Strike Still an Optio

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
15 September 2006
 
Nigerian oil unions say they could resume their strike, if the government fails to meet their demands. The unions suspended their strike Thursday, a day after it started.

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	Delta1 area, Aug. 14, 2006 " src="/upimg/allimg/070419/1056340.jpg" width="210" border="0" /> A Nigerian army gunboat arrive at Ikang near Calabar in the Niger Delta area, Aug. 14, 2006

The leader of Nigeria's largest oil union said Friday workers will resume their walkout, if the government fails to act on their demands for improved security in the Niger Delta.

Peter Esele, national president of the Petroleum² and Gas Senior Staff Association, told VOA that leaders of the two unions have the mandate³ of their members to resume the strike, without resorting to the complex processes involved in calling a fresh strike.

"What we are saying is that it is merely being suspended," said Mr. Esele.  "So, if nothing happens, we can go back to the trenches⁴.  If it is called off, there are processes that we have to go through but when it is suspended, you may not need to go through that same process again, in accordance with our constitution."

The unions called a three-day strike from Wednesday to protest unrest in the volatile⁵ Niger Delta, where the country's massive oil wealth is concentrated.

The strike was suspended Thursday, a day early, following intense pressure, and appeals from the government and other industry operators.

Esele says the strike was successful, and won widespread popular support.

"The first thing was, get them to the table," he added.  "That was the mandate of NEC [National Executive Council]. And we have been using every available means since February. And the way the whole thing went, it was a huge success, and we also know that the Nigerian public, Nigerian people were also behind us. I am sure, if you take a public opinion [poll], you will have about 80 percent of the people supporting what we did."

Apart from flight cancellations resulting from an acute shortage of aviation gasoline, analysts⁶ say the strike did not have a crippling effect on Nigeria's petroleum-based economy.

Mohammed Umar, is an expert on the Nigerian energy sector⁷.

"I think, the impact of the strike on the industry was very low, because installations in the Niger Delta were not shut down," he said.  "The refinery⁸, the Port Harcourt refinery, this is the only functional⁹ refinery, was not shut down, and most petrol filling stations sold fuel, that is in the downstream sector. And most workers turned up for work. So, if you look at it critically, the impact of the strike was not really felt by the industry."

The unions were striking to draw attention to recent government decisions in the oil industry, and the problem of security for oil workers, who have frequently been the target of kidnappings and killings¹⁰.

1 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

2 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

3 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

4 trenches   

深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕

参考例句：

• life in the trenches 第一次世界大战期间的战壕生活
• The troops stormed the enemy's trenches and fanned out across the fields. 部队猛攻敌人的战壕，并在田野上呈扇形散开。

5 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

8 refinery   

n.精炼厂，提炼厂

参考例句：

• They built a sugar refinery.他们建起了一座榨糖厂。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

9 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。

10 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。