BEING A TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE ON RECENT HIKES IN PRICES OF PMS, ELECTRICITY TARIFF AND OTHER INCREMENTS ANNOUNCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA ADDRESSED BY THE GLOBAL PRESIDENT OF NANS, COMRADE DANIELSON BAMIDELE AKPAN TODAY 10th SEPT, 2020
Gentlemen of the Press,
It is no longer news that the Federal Government in a swooping total deregulation and subsidy removal policy announced another increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit.
It is also a known fact that prior to that, the Federal Government also approved increases in electricity tariff while banks regrettably reduced interests on customer savings.
The effects of these increases amidst earlier increments made in Value Added Tax (VAT) and multiple taxations on goods and services have started causing unbearable consequences, thereby compounding the obvious imbalances in the economic and social life of Nigerians, most of whom, are dependent on (unstable) electricity supply and PMS to do businesses and make ends meet.
I must categorically say that, there have been uncharted abuse of our foreign exchange by beneficiaries of subsidies over the years and by no means new to this administration, which has had nothing to do with the welfare of the masses, is a misplacement, as these huge resources deployed to a few, could also be deployed for the optimum growth of the nation.
Regrettably, the subsidy regime is no longer visible and it’s complete removal is inevitable. But the timing of the the removal and the effect of the removal is wrong.
At a time when the effects of the coronavirus pandemic is biting so hard on the masses.
The new normal in the world requires the channeling of resources to profitable ventures with humane face, conscious and deliberate growth plans, discoveries and discussions on sustainability models of revenue generation, firm economic programs with deep impact on citizens and how to prevent the country from another recession, rather than continue an unsustainable squander of the nation’s resources in the name of subsidy. This is totally unacceptable going forward, however the period of the increase due to such removal leaves all in wonder.
Sadly too, prices of food items, consumables, transportation and other essential services would have skyrocketed, again, leaving Nigerians frustrated and bewildered.
Nigerians are not unaware of government’s unending explanations and reasons for these emerging biting policies. They understand the dynamics in the oil sector in particular.
However, Nigerian students have decided to call on government to reverse the increases in petrol price and electricity tariff because of the prevailing economy.
Generally speaking, Nigerians are bewildered that having been under months of lockdown and restrictive measures, welcoming them back to normal life with increases in prices of essential commodities is a burden too harsh for the citizens to bear.
Nigerian students in particular will be hard hit by these policies and therefore cannot concentrate or cope with studies as their usually managed 101 feeding standard can no longer be guaranteed. Many students have been forced out of school already due to high cost of living and deteriorating economic conditions of their families.
As you already know, Nigerian students (NANS structures and states) have been protesting against the latest announced prices as directed by the National Secretariat of NANS. The protests will continue as planned.
On behalf of the NANS leadership, I hereby direct the entirety of Nigerian students to reaffirm our commitment to ongoing calls for the reversal of the hikes.
Precisely on Monday 14th September, 2020, Nigerian students shall be making a loud statement in a mass protest across the six geo political zones, the Federal Capital Territory to demand outright reversal of the insensitive price hikes.
Now is the time to reset our priorities as a government, people and develop with a common purpose that seeks the good of the common man. Perhaps, if our refineries were working at optimal production level and new ones added over the years, Nigerians would by now have long forgotten the pains of persistent increases especially on petroleum products.
That the government has realized that Nigerians can no longer bear the pains of long years of neglect, dishonest oil merchants who have ripped Nigerians of earnings from oil refining, production and sales at the detriment of the people, nation’s reserves and national development but should act in consultation with the people.
We shall be engaging the FG and all ministries, departments and agencies and other stakeholders both in the Finance, Power and Petroleum sector. We shall demand too, efficient service delivery from the Disco’s and the entire power sector.
A letter of protest rejecting the price hikes especially on electricity and petrol pricing would be addressed to the President & C-in-C, H.E Muhammad Buhari, GCFR through the six geo political zones for onward deliver to Mr. President while the FCT Minister will convey the message to the C-in-C for the North Central Zone.
Finally, we enjoin members of the fourth estate of the realm, Nigerian journalists to partner with us on this journey, to put an end to this repeated debacles in the petroleum sector.  We assure citizens and the Nigerian government that our resistance to the latest increases has no political undertone and shall be non violent. It is a cause Nigerians are in dire need of responsible citizens and organizations to champion.
Further modalities shall be periodically communicated to the media for effective coverage.
Thank you all for coming!
Dare to Struggle!
Dare to Win!!
Signed:
Comrade Danielson Bamidele Akpan
Global President, NANS