Fuel Subsidy Removal: Students Warn Of Massive Revolt

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says it will massively go against the Federal Government on the removal of fuel subsidy should the government continue with the plan.

The association gave the warning in a communique read at the Igbariam campus of Anambra State University on Sunday after a three-day convention that ushered in its new executive members.

In the communique signed by convention chairman, Armstrong Ovie-Afabor and the clerk, Joseph Anyisia, it urged government to plug the various loopholes that encourage corruption in the oil and gas sector.

“The government should give account of money expended on the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) done on the nation’s refineries which are still in comatose,” the communique stated.

According to Ovie-Afabor who read the communique, “any attempt by the federal government to increase the price of petroleum products in the country under any guise will be met with stiff opposition by Nigerian students.”

NANS condemned in strong terms the sectarian violence and acts of terrorism orchestrated by the Boko Haram sect, as well as the Jos crisis which had resulted in the loss of lives and property.

It called on government to leave no stone unturned in fishing out and prosecuting the culprits.

“NANS is of the opinion that, contrary to popular belief that the Jos crisis is motivated by religion, the root cause of the crisis is not unconnected to the citizenship question.

“Government should also publicise and commence the implementation of findings and recommendations of various committees set up to look into the causes of the Jos crisis,” the communique said.

On the minimum wage issue, NANS called on the federal government to review the national revenue sharing formula in order to enable most states meet the demands of labour.