Reps minority caucus kicks against fuel hike

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Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has condemned the recent increment in pump prices of petrol products by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and demanded its immediate reversal, describing it as ill-timed and a unilateral action.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by its Leader, Rep. O K Chinda, the Group declared; “This development is not only ill-timed but also grossly insensitive to the harsh economic conditions currently being experienced by Nigerians across the country”.

According to it, “At a time when the nation is grappling with unprecedented economic challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the depreciating value of the Naira, any further increase in the price of petrol will only exacerbate the suffering of the average Nigerian.

” The ripple effects of such an increase are far-reaching, impacting the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods and services. This will ultimately erode the already fragile purchasing power of millions of our citizens, pushing more families into poverty.

” The Minority Caucus is deeply concerned that this decision by the NNPC appears to have been made without adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the National Assembly, which represents the interests of the people.

” This unilateral action disregards the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness, which should guide decisions affecting the lives of the citizenry. The current dire economic conditions, characterized by rising unemployment, soaring inflation, and widening inequality, have placed immense pressure on the livelihoods of citizens.

” These hardships have understandably triggered widespread protests, as people demand relief and accountability from those in power. The resulting unrest and chaos serve as stark reminders that economic instability can quickly escalate into broader social and political instability”.

It pointed out that ” while it is crucial for all stakeholders, including government, businesses, and civil society, to work collaboratively to address these economic challenges and restore stability before the situation deteriorates further, the Tinubu’s government should as a matter of urgency address the connection between dire economic conditions and social unrest rather than create conditions that exacerbate the already dire economic conditions.

According to it, “not doing so merely provides flips to the army of youths who are jobless to return to occupy the streets and unleash violence on our country. This government must learn lessons from destructive effects of the national protests against bad governance, triggered by depressing and excruciating economic conditions.

The Caucus therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and reverse this unwarranted increase in petrol prices and urged the government to explore and implement more sustainable measures to stabilize the economy without placing an additional burden on the people.

According to it, “This includes prioritising the rehabilitation and upgrading of our local refineries, curbing corruption within the petroleum sector, and ensuring that subsidies genuinely benefit the masses rather than a few privileged individuals.

“The Minority Caucus stands with the Nigerian people in rejecting this petrol price hike and will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the welfare and well-being of all citizens. We urge the government to listen to the voice of the people and take immediate steps to alleviate their suffering, rather than aggravate it”.

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