The National Association of Nigerian Students has threatened to embark on mass action if the Federal Government fails to take immediate steps to address the current fuel scarcity in the country.
The students’ body also asked the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Mele Kyari, to resign if he could not take decisive actions to resolve the fuel crisis.
The association’s Senate President, Babatunde Akinteye, in a statement on Monday, lamented that the fuel scarcity has left many citizens, including students, frustrated and helpless.
The PUNCH reports that Nigerians in Lagos and other parts of the country are currently struggling to get Premium Motor Spirit as many filling stations remained under lock and key throughout the weekend.
It was observed that the queues, which started last week, have yet to subside despite the assurances from the NNPCL that the logistics issues causing the tightness had been resolved.
Our correspondents gathered that some filling stations sell the product between N700 and N800, giving black marketers another opportunity to extort Nigerians desperate to buy a litre at N1,000 or more.
The scarcity has led to a hike in transport fares.
Reacting, the NANS senate president lamented that students are now facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the increase in petrol pump prices and the scarcity of the product.
While demanding immediate action from the NNPCL to resolve the fuel crisis and restore stability, Babatunde said the students would hit the streets in protest if the situation persisted.
He added, “The consequences of this fuel crisis are dire, with electricity supply remaining unreliable, prices soaring, and essential services paralysed. Nigerian students, along with the rest of the population, are bearing the brunt of this crisis daily.
“We demand immediate actions from the NNPCL to resolve the fuel crisis and restore stability to our nation.
“This includes transparency and accountability in providing information about the state of fuel supply and distribution.”
The NANS leader stated that the NNPCL must improve infrastructure and logistics to ensure the efficient distribution of fuel across the country, saying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain must be addressed promptly.
“Additionally, the NNPCL should engage with stakeholders, including student representatives, to understand the impact of the fuel crisis and collaborate on solutions.
“If Mele Kyari fails to take decisive action to resolve the fuel crisis, we call for his resignation or removal from office.
“Nigerian students cannot afford to suffer any longer under ineffective leadership. If the NNPCL fails to act swiftly and decisively to address the fuel crisis, Nigerian students are prepared to take mass action,” Akinteye declared.
He added that it was time for the NNPCL to fulfil its mandate and prioritise the well-being of the Nigerian people.