Niger Delta youths demand intervention programmes over electricity, fuel price hikes

*Federal Government should commence social intervention programmes to help in reducing pains, sufferings of the people as occasioned by fuel/electricity price hikes ─ Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In cushioning the negative effects of recent increment in prices of electricity and petrol on the overall wellbeing and standard of living of Nigerian consumers, youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Council, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to create social intervention programmes in this regard.

The youth group in a communiqué Saturday, September 12 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, said that fuel and electricity price hikes have disastrous consequences on the social life of Nigerians, as these could endanger the peaceful coexistence of the region and the country.

The communiqué, which was issued at the end of the group’s meeting in Uyo with the theme: “Post-COVID-19 Economic Development of the Niger Delta Youths”, was signed by 19 Youth Council Presidents, including the Council President of Ijaw Youths, Udengs Eradiri, Isoko Youths President, Victor Egbo, Ogoni President, Matthew Dighi and Ikwerre Youth Council President, Edward Odom among others.

According to the statement, “in the face of the social-financial and ethno religious crisis that continues to plague our country with disastrous consequences on our nation’s economy, social life, and which has also posed a grave danger to the peaceful coexistence of our region and country, the Federal Government should commence social intervention programmes to help in reducing the pains and sufferings of the people as occasioned by the hike in fuel/ electricity price.”

The youths urged political parties to embrace peaceful conduct during the Edo State governorship election and tasked the Federal Government to ensure, free, fair and credible electoral polls by deploying security agents before, during and after the elections.

The youths stated: “The Council admonishes the Federal Government to make sure there is a free, fair and credible election in Edo State, by ensuring that security personnel are deployed before, during and after the election to foster peace and order.

“We call on political parties to embrace peaceful electioneering conduct and the youths to shun election violence.”