Fuel Hike: NANS Nationwide Protest to Hit 6 Geopolitical Zones Monday

BY DAYO ADESULU

National Association of Nigerian Students’ President Danielson Akpan has on Thursday vowed to shake the six geopolitical zones of the federal with a mass protest on streets on Monday over the hike in electricity tariffs and fuel pump price.

According to him, the only thing that could stem the intending protest on Monday, September 14, is if the Federal Government reversed the increase in the pump price of fuel and electricity tariff.

Akpan, who made this known during a press briefing in Abuja, said President Buhari should have rather prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.

Akpan said, “Nigerians are bewildered that has 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 interests on customer savings.

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“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 an outright reversal of the insensitive price hikes.”