VOA标准英语2010年-Nigerian Labor Unions Plan Strike to F

"They're planning a strike that will paralyze the government to force President Yar'Adua to hand over power to the Vice¹ President."

Labor² officials say it appears they are the last hope, according to VOA reporter Chinedu Offor, who is on travel in Imo State. “They say that efforts to get the courts to force the president’s hand have not worked.  They also say efforts by the opposition³ have not worked."

For that reason, says Offor, “they’re planning a strike that will paralyze the government to force President Yar’Adua to hand over power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.”

The daily activities of Nigerians are also being affected⁴ by the president’s long absence, says Offor.  “Contrary to what the government is saying -- that the president’s absence has not slowed down the operations of the government -- you can find that the cost of basic goods [is] going up.”

One example Offor discussed was his flight from Lagos to Warri, which is normally 10-12,000 naira.  On Tuesday, it cost between 16-17,000 naira, a 30% increase.

The cost of petrol has also gone up.  “It used to be about 50 naira to a liter.  Now it goes for 100 naira.  That is about a 50% increase.  The cost of oil and basic foods like rice have all gone up,” says Offor.

 

1 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。