Transport Fare Hike: ‘It’s Time To Take Action’—DELSU SUG President Roars, As Tricycle Union Denies Strike Action

By Ozioma Nwakalor/Paul Masigwe/Winner Enuma/Sophia Otuokpai

The Leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at Delta State University, Abraka has vowed to take drastic measures to tame the growing harsh effect of the Nigerian economy on students.

In a tersely worded statement jointly signed by the SUG President, Comr. Augustine Onovughegor and Secretary-General, Comr. Etim Bassey, the union leaders said they would mobilise students to seek the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on the unabating plight of students in DELSU.

The statement was in response to a purported strike action declared by the intra-campus tricycle operators’ union in DELSU on Monday.

Recall that the tricycle operators had, Monday, announced an increment in intra-campus transport fares from N100 to N150 per trip.

Chairman of the tricycle operators union, Mr. Cletus Abada, had told DELSU Echo that the increment was necessitated by the rising cost of petrol.

Abada further attributed the fifty per cent increment to other expenses like engine oil maintenance and cost of tricycle spare parts.

In response, the SUG leaders had promised to negotiate with the transporters with the hope of reaching a mutually beneficial compromise.

“Despite our initial plans to negotiate with them, we have reached a decision to discontinue any further engagement”, the student body announced on Thursday.

“It is unjust for us to request the drivers to maintain the previous fares, just as it is unfair to burden our students with increased fees.”

However, the students’ union said it would no longer allow its members to bear the brunt of the oscillating Nigerian system, disclosing its intention to draw the attention of the state government to the precarious conditions of students’ welfare.

The statement partly read: “Let us not shy away from the harsh reality before us. Throughout our academic journey, students have consistently borne the brunt of all cost escalations.

“It is time for us to take action. We propose that we all unite and approach our esteemed State Governor in Asaba. Our students must be prepared to answer this call.

“From rising electricity bills to departmental accreditation, every aspect of our academic ecosystem impacts the cost of our education.

“The recent spike in fuel prices further compounds the financial strain on our student body.

“We implore the state government to swiftly address these challenges and ensure a smooth campus life for our students before they return.

“Should there be a lack of tangible progress before the resumption of classes, we stand ready to actively engage with the government on behalf of our fellow students.

“Let us stand together in solidarity, resolute in our mission to foster an affordable and conducive academic environment for all. Our collective voice is our strength, and it is time for it to be heard.”

Meanwhile, the tricycle operators’ union at DELSU have denied embarking on its purported strike action as widely claimed in some quarters.

While featuring on a DELSU Echo weekly programme, The Interview, the union chairman, Mr. Cletus Abada, explained that many of their members have relocated their operations to Warri and neighbouring towns following the commencement of the long sessional break.

“The keke people are not on strike, let me first correct that impression”, Abada insisted.

“After the one week of post-UTME, we came together and said that for this course of post-UMTE, we will add a little bit (to our charges) because we are on holidays and only few kekes will normally be seen on campus, many of them have gone to their different routes.

“Some are in Warri now, some are in Sapele just because they want to meet up with their balancing (arrangements with their sponsors).”

He, however, observed that the persisting fuel crisis necessitates an upward review of charges that may hit as high as N250 per trip unless urgent actions are taken to reverse the trend.

However, despite Abada’s assurances that the tricycle operators were not on strike, scores of staff and students at DELSU were, Wednesday, thrown into pains as intra-campus tricycle operators deserted their park, forcing many members of the university community to cover considerable distances on foot.

When our reporters visited the Site 3 of the university’s Abraka campus, the school premises had turned into a shadow of itself with the tricycle park completely deserted and the premises engulfed in eerie silence.

Crops of students were seen trekking to various locations and making whispers about the unexpected happening.

Meanwhile, a Professor of Sociology at Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Victor Jike, has urged the Federal Government to abandon the controversial policy seeking to bar admission seekers below 18 years from gaining admission into Nigerian universities.

Jike described the move as both “surprising” and “anachronistic,” arguing that no research supports a correlation between age and academic achievements.