Protestors restart gas production in challenge to government power cut claims

Tripoli, 17 July 2013:

Protestors at Zuetina Oil Company have challenged the government’s claims that they are responsible for the country’s recent power cuts, by restarting gas production.

“After the government claimed we were to blame for the recent power cuts, we decided to restart pumping the gas to prove that we are not responsible for them,” said the protestors, in a statement published on their Facebook page.

“The government is trying to pin the blame on us,” the protestors said, “now the gas is back, let us see whose responsibility is it.”

Workers at Zuetina’s port and oil fields, dissatisfied with current pay and conditions and critical of the management of the company, had been striking for over a fortnight.

A spokesperson at Zuetina confirmed to the Libya Herald that gas-pumping have resumed yesterday. The gas, according to the protestors, is destined for Khoms power station. [/restrict]