NANS demands reversal of fuel price hike, threatens protest

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 the citizens.

The NANS National President, Lucky Emonefe, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail stations across the country had on Tuesday, September 3, increased the pump price of petrol from N617 per litre to N897 litre.

The independent marketers also adjusted their pumps, as they were now selling between N930 and N1,200.

The federal government later said no directive was issued to the NNPCL to increase the price of petrol.

Speaking on the development, 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.

‘It’s unbearable’: Abuja residents lament as fuel price hits N1,200

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

The NANS President added that the fuel price hike would further worsen the high cost of living in the country if the government did not promptly address it.

Prices of petrol tripled since the removal of subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023, from about N200/litre to about N800/litre, compounding the woes of Nigerians who power their vehicles and generating sets with petrol, no thanks to decades-long epileptic electricity supply.

The Star