BLESSING ADURE A., REPORTS
The Nigerian Youth Congress in collaboration with renowned Civil Society Groups in Nigeria at a National Emergency Meeting in Abuja, condemned the recent hike in flight tickets to an alarming height of One Hundred and Thirty Percent (130%) by Airline operators.
Addressing a World Press Conference, the President of NYC Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu described the astronomical increase as ” arbitrary, wicked, insensitive and unjustifiable”, going on to say that the Youths are mostly at the receiving end of this decision and worst affected.
The group asserted that Airline Operators unilaterally took this harsh stance without due consultation amongst Nigeria Youths and the Civil Society.
Responding to some of the questions from the Press about Airline Operators being businessmen who are also affected by scarcity and increase in price of Aviation Fuel as well as the constant fluctuation of exchange rate, the group stated that many options would have been brought to the table, if proper consultations were made; such as making slight increase in the Business Class, while making minimal adjustment in the Economy Class; which is largely patronised by Youths and low income earners. Air Travel is no longer luxury in Nigeria, but a necessity considering the bad road situations and high level of insecurity.
The group called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Hon. Minister of Aviation, and other Regulatory Bodies to ensure immediate reversal of the Fare increases, and also ensure total compliance with their demand within the next 48 hours.
They threatened to picket Airports across the Country, if their demands are not met
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The CSOs present represented at the Press conference included the following; Comrade Olayemi Success ( Chief Convener, Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Justice and Equity), Leader Oscar Kalu (Chief Advocate, Network for Young Advocates for Democracy and Good Governance), Comrade Okpanachi Jacob (Convener, Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance), Mr Sunday Alohka (Chairman, Special Interest Group on Youth Development in Nigeria), Chief Ogakwu Dominic (President, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance), Amb. Hanan Isah ( Arewa Female Youth Ambassadors Initiative), Barr. Maxwell Ezelagu ( Justice Advocate Initiative), Prince Engr. Victor Alobari (Niger Delta Youth Assembly), and RT Hon. Ifon Daniel (Niger Delta Youth Parliament), amongst other Nationwide Stakeholders and Youth Coalition Groups.