- Amaechi questions citizens’ silence despite economic hardship
- NLC calls for immediate reversal of new fuel price
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited once again ignited the fury of Nigerians by raising petrol prices across its retail outlets, sending shockwaves through the nation.
In a move that has left many struggling to comprehend, the pump price soared from N897 to a staggering N1, 030 per litre on Wednesday.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, motorists are now grappling with the harsh reality of paying N1, 030 per litre for petrol, as long queues hit filling stations in desperation.
Lagos too has been hit hard, with NNPCL retail outlets selling the product at N998 per litre. The price hike, the second in just one month, has thrown Nigerians into a state of anger and disbelief, with stations across Lagos now witnessing a surge of frustrated consumers forming long queues.
Nigerians across the country have expressed shock over the fresh fuel price saying it would worsen poverty in the country.
A resident of Osogbo, Gabriel Amuda lamented the development, saying many citizens would further experience poverty.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the increment, saying prices of food items and other essentials would double.
“Our government knows that many things we buy in this country are tied to fuel and each time the pump price goes up, the cost of living would be worsened. Honestly, this is shocking and we don’t expect this from President Tinubu.
“The best thing he can do now is to reverse this fuel price to the amount that he met before being sworn in as President. As from tomorrow now, you will see that things would be more expensive to buy. This is wickedness against the people,” he lamented.
Another resident, simply identified as Josephine, said, “The President should stop all these anti-people policies, they are getting out of hand. In fact, he is pushing poor Nigerians to the wall and if they push back, the government won’t like our reaction.”
Amaechi questions Nigerians’ silence despite economic hardship
A former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has expressed his disappointment at the way Nigerians are responding to the nation’s current economic challenges, stating that he had expected more visible reactions from citizens, particularly the youth.
In an interview with Igbere TV, Amaechi lamented the high cost of living, rising fuel prices, and other economic pressures.
He stated that he was surprised by the calmness with which Nigerians have reacted.
“I expected more agitation, especially from the youth.
“I thought we would see protests on the streets, but it seems people are not expressing the kind of anger I expected,” remarked the former governor of Rivers State.
Amaechi, who served as Minister of Transportation for nearly eight years under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the current state of the economy.
Amaechi pointed out that there has been no significant pushback from the public despite the soaring cost of living.
“You cannot have a situation where a group of people are mismanaging resources and expect citizens to remain silent. I am truly baffled by the lack of action,” he said.
Using Edo State as an example, Amaechi questioned whether politicians should be campaigning at all, given the state of the economy.
“The price of diesel is at an all-time high, and even some of us are finding it difficult to afford it. Yet, the general public seems unmoved.”
NLC calls for immediate reversal of new fuel pump price
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has condemned the latest hike in the pump price of petrol, calling for its immediate reversal.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, criticised the Federal Government’s decision to raise fuel prices yet again without providing adequate relief measures for struggling Nigerians.
The NLC also picked holes in the role of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, accusing the oil company of acting as a monopoly that dictates fuel prices, contrary to principles of a competitive market.
Ajaero urged the government to develop a clear and long-term economic strategy instead of relying on “ad-hoc” solutions and palliative measures.
The labour leader warned that the latest price increase would exacerbate the country’s poverty levels, shrinking production capacities and leading to more job losses.
Ajaero emphasised that the government must communicate its economic goals clearly to the public, rather than imposing sudden and disruptive measures.
The statement reads “We are dismayed by the latest increase in the pump price of petrol. It looks like the only thing this government is known for is increase in the pump price of petrol without commensurate capacity of Nigerians or migratory measures.
“Even following the logic of market forces, we find it an aberration that a private company (NNPCL) is the one fixing prices and projecting itself as a hegemonic monopoly.
“We challenge the government to go to the drawing board and present us with a blueprint for an inclusive economic growth and national development instead of this spasmodic ad holism and palliative policy.
“It needs no stating the fact that the latest wave of increase has grossly altered the calculations of Nigerians once again at a time they were reluctantly coming to terms with their new realities.
“It will further deepen poverty as production capacities dip, more jobs lost with multidimensional negative effects.
“In light of this, we urge the government to immediately reverse this rate hike as previous increases did not produce any good result. People only got poorer.
“But more fundamentally, the government should be bold enough to tell Nigerians in advance the destination it wants to take the country,” NLC stated.
