The National Association of Nigerian Students says it will only accept the recent increase in fuel price if palliatives are introduced to cushion its effects on students.
NANS’ Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Nwankwo, gave this condition in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
The statement said the association had appreciated Federal Government’s desire to do away with subsidy.
It added, however, that there was the need for proper consultations and palliatives before removing fuel subsidy or introducing new price regime for Premium Motor Spirit.
It said NANS requested for halt in further increment in fees in all higher institutions and provision of two buses to each campus of higher institutions to ease transportation.
Other requests are the provision of gas cylinders to all students and hosting town hall meetings with students in all four zones of NANS to enlighten students more on the issue.
It said NANS also requested the establishment of students’ trust fund and the constitution of an independent body to monitor the new fuel price regime.
It said: “NANS has not in any way compromised on its stance on the hike in fuel price.
“We are deeply concerned about the removal of fuel subsidy considering the state of our economy, but if it must be removed, these palliatives ought to be in place.”
It said students had made their stance known to Federal Government that fuel subsidy should be removed with proper consultations, palliatives and due process to prevent crash of economy.
“It is on this very note that NANS holds its ground that students will not relent in protests until the government does the right thing,” it added.
NAN.
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