Fuel hike: Nigerian Students to storm the streets – NANS reveals

The National Association of Nigerian Students has revealed the intention of students to kick off protests on Monday over increase in fuel pump price.

NANS President, Danielson Akpan, who made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said the student body was set to hit the streets except the Federal Government reversed the increase in the pump price of fuel and electricity tariff.

Recall that the federal government had endorsed the fuel pump increment and electricity tariff a few days ago.

Akpan voiced disagreement with the development and called on the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians.

In his speech, “Nigerians are bewildered that having been under months of lockdown and restrictive measures, welcoming them back to normal life with increases in prices of essential commodities is a burden too harsh for the citizens to bear.

“It is no longer news that the Federal Government in a swooping total deregulation and subsidy removal policy announced another increase in the pump price of PMS. It is also a known fact that prior to that, the Federal Government also approved increases in electricity tariff while banks regrettably reduced interest on customer savings.

“The effects of these increases amidst earlier increments made in Value Added Tax and multiple taxations on goods and services have started causing unbearable consequences, thereby compounding the obvious imbalances in the economic and social life of Nigerians, most of whom are dependent on (unstable) electricity supply and PMS to do businesses and make ends meet.

“Precisely on Monday, September 14, 2020, Nigerian students shall be making a loud statement in a mass protest across the six geopolitical zones, and the Federal Capital Territory to demand outright reversal of the insensitive price hikes.

Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News