- Call For Immediate Reversal
By Gbenga Abulude
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) have condemned the decision of the Federal Government to increase the price of fuel from N145 to N151 per litre, and also jerk up the electricity tariff.
PDP and ASUU berated the presidency for adopting such measures at this time as it will increase the financial burden on consumers and businesses.
They called for an immediate reversal of the prices to avert a national crisis.
Read also: Fuel Tanker Drivers Suspend Strike In Lagos
The Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), had on Wednesday, announced the new price of fuel.
President Muhammadu Buhari also approved the implementation of the new electricity tariff which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced its take off from September 1.
In a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, the party
challenged the APC and the Buhari administration to publish the parameters used to arrive at the increase in fuel price to N151 per litre given that with the prevailing values in the international market, the appropriate template for domestic pump price in Nigeria ought not to be above N100 per litre.
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The party said: “It is distressing that the APC administration increased the cost of essential commodities at the time the leadership of other countries are offering palliatives to their citizens to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is instructive to add that our nation is doomed under the APC watch.
“We know that the APC is an unfeeling party but it is indeed shocking that it could go to the extent of approving such a hike at this trying time, when many Nigerians are struggling to afford staple foods and other necessities of life”.
“Moreover, the APC and its government have failed to allow an open investigation into allegations of fuel price overcharge as well as the fraudulent subsidy regime through which over N14 trillion had allegedly been frittered by unscrupulous individuals in the APC.
“Our fear is that the APC is pushing Nigerians to the wall with its obnoxious and anti-people proclivities and we caution that nobody should misinterpret the peaceful and law-abiding nature of Nigerians as a sign of weakness.
“Our party therefore restates our call on the National Assembly to save the nation by calling the APC and its administration to order before they plunge our nation into chaos,” the PDP said.
Read also: Fuel Scarcity Looms As Tanker Drivers Begin Strike
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the decision to increase both the electricity tarrif and fuel price, reflected the insensitivity of the Buhari’s government to the plight of Nigerians.
He stated that rather than make life bearable for Nigerians, the government was worsening it.
“It is the peak of insensitivity and it means the government is not bothered about the plight of the masses. People are just trying to find their rhythm after the COVID-19 lockdown. Many people have lost their jobs, those working yet to stabilise financially and this is coming. In some nations, the palliatives given to the people are still being given because people have to adapt to the new normal.
“The minimal increase and relief they gave workers through the minimum wage have been eroded by hyperinflation and the devaluation of the naira. The government should buckle up and think about how to restore the dignity of the average Nigerian.
“Policies like this one will only increase crime rate and no one is safe until everybody is safe,” Ogunyemi decried.
