Port Harcourt, Sept. 9, 2024 – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says it plans to dialogue with the federal government on the increase in petrol price hike before embarking on protests.
David Bariereka, its National Secretary, said this during an interview on Channels Television in Port Harcourt.
He said the association was not planning any strike for now, but looking at modalities to amicably resolve the issue with the federal government.
Bariereka said the students’ body would explore all means of resolving the issue amicably before embarking on protests.
He said the association had not been mobilising for protests and urged students across the country to discountenance calls for a national protest for now.
Bariereka acknowledged the growing hardships in the country due to the petrol price increase, but said the association would engage with relevant authorities before resorting to protests
He urged students to await clear directives from the national secretariat regarding the next course of action in response to the fuel price hike.
“We are not threatening a strike. That is what we are going to do because of the current situation of the country. Nigerians are currently facing a lot.
‘We are facing hardship, and now, the government has increased fuel prices again. This has affected us as students. And as student leaders, we don’t have a choice now but to fight for the people.
“We are occupying one of the largest stakes in the country, having over 40 million Nigerian students in the country.
“With that, we think we should make our voice loud at this time to save the Nigerian people from this undue stress and suffering being put upon them by the government.
“We have determined that on the 15th of this month, no going back. We are hitting the street hard.
“We are going to demand not only for a reduction in fuel price but for other things that are affecting the nation in general.
“We are going to do it. We will hit the streets if the government does not reverse most of the hardship policies before then,” Bariereka said. (GBN)
