The National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) has issued a call for the immediate reversal of the recently increased price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The association warns that the price hike will exacerbate inflation and intensify the hardship faced by Nigerian citizens.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Comrade Kur Isaac Ushahemba, Senate President of NANCES, expressed concern over the implications of the fuel price increase. “The recent hike in PMS prices will further drive inflation, making survival even more difficult for the masses,” Ushahemba said.
He pointed out that despite heavy investments in Nigeria’s four refineries, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been unable to make them fully operational. “At a time when citizens are already burdened by economic reforms, it is disheartening to see NNPCL impose such exorbitant fuel prices. This undermines the principles of energy security, which include accessibility, affordability, and availability,” he added.
NANCES has also urged its members to prepare for a brainstorming session as the leadership finalizes its plans for nationwide protests, including picketing of the NNPCL, to press for the reversal of the price hike.
New, previously unheard voices from within local communities are adding weight to the rising outcry, highlighting the profound effect of the increase on their already strained livelihoods. These lesser-known individuals, impacted by the policy, are now stepping forward, further emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.
