Fuel scarcity: Parents, schools lament
By Saheed Ibrahim
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As a result of the scarcity of premium motor spirit, petrol in Nigeria, parents and students have lamented being subjected to untold hardship and high cost of transportation.
Those who spoke with The Hope complained that they now spent huge amount of money to send their children to schools on a daily basis.
A parent, Mr. Seun Falodun lamented that, “I have told my children to stay home. I cannot continue to spend N1,200 daily just to send two children to school.
“Normally, it cost just N300-N400 but now, I spend triple of that amount. It is better the children just stay at home for now,” he said.
Another parent, Mrs. Rebecca Ademosun said her kids had to trek long distance to school.
“I cannot afford to spend over N1,000 daily. The children have to trek in the morning and afternoon.
“If they do not trek, it means they won’t eat because I cannot afford both. We just beg our government to find solution to this problem.
“We cannot continue like this. By Monday (today), if the problem continues, they will just stay at home for the main time
It is even better for schools to close for now,” she lamented.
Some students that spoke with The Hope while trekking inside the scorching sun could not hold back their complaints.
One of them, who simply identify herself as Janet was seen trekking from Fiwasaye Grammar School to Igoba.
“I and my friends have been trekking since Tuesday. The cost of transportation is high and we cannot use our ‘food money’ to enter taxi. So, we trek,” she explained.
A private school administrator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said some students have stopped coming to school because of the fuel crisis.
He told The Hope that there is possibility private schools, especially his school, closes schools for a while.
“If government gives the go ahead for us to close schools, we will. It is affecting us too. Out school buses have stopped working. Teachers, students and parents are complaining everyday,” he said.