From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Federal Government over his decision to build Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centers and refuelling stations in 20 federal tertiary institutions across the country.
NANS described the decision of the FG as “not only noble but practical steps towards cushioning the excruciating tolls high cost of transportation is having on the Nigerian students since the removal of subsidy on petrol”.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, in a statement on Monday, had hinted that the FG through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative in partnership with a private energy company, would soon kick-start the CNG conversion project and refuelling stations in 20 selected tertiary institutions in the country.
Alausa, who equally hinted that six of the projects will become operational in May this year, emphasised that the initiative was aimed to reduce transportation costs for students and lecturers. He added it was also a pivotal step towards integrating clean energy solutions within the country’s educational institutions.
NANS, however, in a statement signed by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, on Wednesday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, noted that the CNG project will go a long way in ameliorating the hardship confronting Nigerian students.
She declared that students are the worst hit by the effects of subsidy removal as the cost of transportation soared above the reach of many Nigerians.
Akinbodunse added that such a decision by the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will usher in relief for the students who have been groaning under the present harsh economic situation.
She urged the FG to ensure that safety of the students are given meticulous consideration while the CNG conversion centers and refueling stations are being built on the selected campus.
The NANS National Vice President further urged the Federal Government to ensure more CNG buses and other vehicles are made available to tertiary institutions in the country.
While noting that the project will facilitate comfort, ease movement and affordability in terms of transportation cost, across the selected tertiary institutions, she charged the FG to beef security on campus to tackle the kidnapping of students.
Akinbodunse stressed that trauma and anguish the kidnapped victims and their families go through is terrible, submitting that relevant stakeholders and authorities should work modalities that will prevent abduction of students, both off and on the campus.