Nigerian lawmakers in an emergency session urged the government yesterday to reverse its decision to scrap fuel subsidies, a move that doubled the petrol price and launched widespread protests.

agreement by the government will immediately douse the explosive tension in the country

The country was bracing itself for ationwide strikes starting Monday after the lifting of the subsidy on January 1 caused petrol prices to soar in Africa’s largest oil producer and most populous nation.

After a noisy debate Sunday, the House of Representatives adopted a motion urging the “government to suspend its decision on the removal of (the) fuel subsidy in appreciation of the mood of the nation and allow more room for consultations.”

The lawmakers also urged labour unions “to suspend the intended strike action and submit to further dialogue on the matter.”

Unions hailed parliament’s move as “patriotic” and said agreement by the government, “will immediately douse the explosive tension in the country.” In a statement, they said they hoped President Goodluck Jonathan would take heed “by immediately suspending the fuel price hikes and allowing dialogue and consultation on the issue of (the) fuel subsidy removal.”

Unions have called nationwide strikes and protest rallies against the spiralling petrol prices caused by the decision of Jonathan’s government to end subsidies in the oil-rich but poverty-stricken nation.

The parliamentary motion is not binding, but helps to pile pressure on the president who defended his government’s policy in a televised address on Saturday in a last-ditch bid to convince unions to call off the strike.