The Government of Edo State has announced an indefinite postponement of the resumption of all schools in the state due to the lingering hike in fuel prices.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ojo Akin-Longe, in Benin, the state capital, announced it in a memo on Saturday.
He stated that tthe resumption, earlier planned for September 9, was postponed until further notice.
“The Edo State Government hereby announces the postponement of the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo State, originally scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, until further notice.
“An official statement from the government has directed that schools remain closed due to the tension arising from the recent increase in fuel prices and the challenges faced by parents and guardians.
“The government urges parents, guardians, and caregivers to monitor the activities of their children and wards closely, given the current situation and the rising tension caused by the fuel price hike,” Akin-Longe said.
Meanwhile, The Minister for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, had on 05 September 20244 said there will be availability of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, by the weekend.
Lokpbiri said this during a meeting on Thursday at the State house with the Vice President, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, and the Executive Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Mugo Okuoha,
The Minister noted that the meeting was at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, who had expressed concerned about the hardship being faced by Nigerians
He advised Nigerians not to entertain any fear which could lead to panic buying, stating that the government was not fixing prices and the prices would stabilize as soon as the product was made available.
He said, “What is important is for us to convey to Nigerians that the President is empathetic about what is going on in the country. He is concerned about the hardship of Nigerians, and that was why he directed the Vice President to call this meeting, for us to reflect on what is going on in the country.
“What is important is that products are available in the country, and we believe that between now and the weekend, there will be availability of products across the length and breadth of the country…”.
