*Threatens Nationwide Protest Sept 15

BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR (with agency report) 

THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to reverse the new petrol pump price, saying things are no longer bearable for Nigerians.

National President of the association, Lucky Emonefe, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, September 4, in Abuja, while reacting to reports that the Retail Management arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on Tuesday, September 3, approved an upward review of petrol pump price from between N568 and N617 per litre to between N855 and N897 per litre, depending on location of their retail outlets/stations.

Recall that the NNPCL retail stations adjusted their pumps and totems (price boards) immediately to reflect the new prices, while independent marketers also adjusted their pumps, selling between N930 and N1,200, depending on the location across the country.

    This has brought further untold hardship on Nigerians, with many passengers stranded across the major cities and workers unable to resume duties at their various workplaces.

Emonefe said: “We appeal to the government to rescind its decision because it will get to a time people can no longer bear the sufferings.

“The national protest that took place in August, we decided not to come out and be part of it, because we hoped that things will get better.

“If things do not get better, we will have no choice, but to mobilise our members to join protest, if it erupts.

 “Government must come out and tell us what is responsible for this recent hike. We need to know.

“If the government cannot help the situation, then we should go back to the subsidy regime.”

Emonefe said the recent price hike would further worsen the high cost of living in the country, if it was not promptly addressed by the government.

       In a related development, NANS has sent notification of a planned massive shutdown of all major cities in the country from September 15, if the prices are not reversed, to the security agencies and indeed, Nigerians.

The student body also demanded the removal of Kyari as the NNPCL Group Managing Director over incessant increase of fuel pump price and inability to reactivate the private refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

In the notice, signed by President of NANS Senate, Okunomo Henry Adewumi, the students plan to occupy all major cities in the country on September 15, assuring that the protest will be peaceful and lawful.

“We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September, 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NNPCL Group managing Director, Mele Kyari.

“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Kyari as the NNPCL GMD.

“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024.

“We shall not be silenced and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.

“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”