‘People are suffering’ — students, CSOs protest over cash, petrol scarcity in Ondo

The National Association of Nigeria Students (joint campus council) in Akure, the Ondo capital, and some civil society organisations (CSO) have staged a protest against petrol shortage and currency scarcity.

The protest comes hours after some residents of Ore in Odigbo LGA of the state took to the streets over the issues.

The latest protest by the students caused gridlock on the Ilesha-Owo expressway.

Security agencies, including the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Amotekun were present to maintain law and order.

Addressing journalists, Yemi Fasipe, one of the protesters, said the petrol and naira note scarcity is causing hardship.

“The current hardship from the scarcity of naira and high price of petrol is causing frustration among our people,” he said.

“The situation is uncomfortable for everybody. It has nothing to do with personality. No one has access to naira freely. We want to pass a message that the government should be fast to tackle the issue.

“We also have a message for the Ondo state government. We realised petrol dealers hike prices unecessarily even when they get product at official price. We want the state government to set up a committee to monitor sales of petrol and also access to money.

“We want to be part of that committee. The government should do what is good for the masses. The masses are at the receiving end. This policy is too harsh. Old notes should be used alongside the new notes.”

Omotayo Samuel, another protester, said people are unhappy with the situation.

“We are not happy. We are now buying naira. Government should reverse these policies. It is political to change money at this time. Many people are suffering; enough is enough,” he said.

Ilesanmi Ademola, a protester, said the protest will continue until the government does the needful.

“We are doing this peaceful protest to tell the government that we want fuel and cash to be available. We have been hearing several youths want to disrupt the peace of the state and we do not want a repeat of EndSARS,” he said.

See photos below.