2007年VOA标准英语-Nigerian General Strike Enters Second Day

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
21 June 2007

A general strike has brought much of Nigeria to a standstill and paralyzed economic activity for a second day. For VOA, Gilbert da Costa in Abuja reports on worries about the economic impact of the shutdown.

People protest in the street against government price rises in Lagos,  20 Jun 2007

Government offices remain shut across Nigeria as unions and the government failed to break the stalemate on gasoline price increases.
 
Ports, schools, banks and many private businesses have been closed, and there is minimal¹ public transport. Domestic and most international flights have been canceled.
 
So far unions have spared oil exports, but are now threatening to withdraw key staff from oil fields and export terminals by midnight Thursday.
 
Mike Obadan, an economics professor at the University of Benin in Western Nigeria, says the economic implication of the shutdown could be very profound.

"We are talking about revitalizing production and now there is energy crisis because of the strike," he noted².  "The strike has negative impact on production. So, the strike definitely is affecting all aspects of the economy."

Nigeria, the world's eighth largest oil producer, has lost about $16 billion in revenue since 2005 because of violence in its oil-producing southern region.
 
The government has described the strike as politically motivated and warned unionists not to blockade roads or prevent people working if they wanted.

1 minimal   

adj.尽可能少的，最小的

参考例句：

• They referred to this kind of art as minimal art.他们把这种艺术叫微型艺术。
• I stayed with friends, so my expenses were minimal.我住在朋友家，所以我的花费很小。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。