Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has joined other Nigerians and groups kicking against the new increase in the pump price of petrol.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has joined other Nigerians and groups kicking against the new increase in the pump price of petrol.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Thursday, described the hike in fuel price as thoughtless, especially at this time.
PDP made the observation on the heels of the demand by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives for immediate reversal of the price increas, saying that it will no doubt increase the suffering of the Nigerians.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on Tuesday, announced an increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol. The new price raised the pump price for petrol from N617/litre to N897/liter, depending on location.
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It only took a short statement from the NNPCL to effect the new price regime. The release stated; “This is to inform you that NNPC Retail Management has approved upward review of PMS pump price from N617/itre to N897/liter effective today, 3rd September, 2024. Please ensure all your pumps and totems (price boards)/MIDs reflect the new PMS price of N897/liter. Thank you”.
The announcement promptly instigated hike on cost of items, transport fares and services, across the nation, forcing Nigerians to decry the measure.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ologunagba advised President Bola Tinubu to save the country from further socio-economic challenges by immediately reversing the latest increase in fuel price.
He said that Nigerians could not bear fuel price increase worsening effect on suffocating economic hardship which they currently faced.
The publicity secretary said that the secretive administration of the petroleum sector, and persistent increase in fuel price without due regard to the wellbeing of the people had implications.
He described the action as anti-people and a show of unconcern to the agonies of millions of Nigerians, who could no longer afford their daily meals, medications and basic support for families due to the high cost of living.
Ologunagba said that today, said that the majority of Nigerians lived below the poverty line, businesses were collapsing daily as the Naira now exchanged for over N1,600 to a Dollar with over 34 per cent inflation rate.
He said that the statistics were expected to rise further with the latest increase in the price of fuel.
“Our Party restates that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources and national refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N250 per liter in Nigeria,” he said.