CNG Reacts To Soaring Petrol Price In Nigeria

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has expressed its disapproval of the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol or fuel.

Naija News reports that the latest price adjustments, enacted by the Retail Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), have seen prices rise from ₦568-N617 to a range of ₦855 to ₦897 per litre, depending on the geographical area.

Independent marketers have subsequently revised their prices, setting them between ₦930 and ₦1,200 per litre.

This price surge has significantly affected many Nigerians, leading some to resort to long-distance walking and others to miss work due to the escalated transportation expenses.

In a statement released on Thursday, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of CNG, remarked that an increase in fuel prices effectively results in artificial inflation of the costs of goods and services across the nation.

The CNG said: “We have credible reports indicating that in some states, fuel prices have already surged to an outrageous ₦1,400 per litre. This is unacceptable and a direct assault on the economic well-being of the masses, who are already grappling with soaring inflation, unemployment, and pervasive insecurity.

“This price hike is devoid of any democratic consideration and reflects a disconnect between the government and the people.

“Democracy, ideally, is supposed to be, in practice, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. However, this policy of constant-fuel-price-raise is clearly anti-people and anti-democratic that spells doom for the administration and the remnant of any goodwill. If the government truly believes in the principles of democracy, it must urgently reconsider this policy and take immediate steps to retract to avert further suffering of the masses.

“Undoubtedly, data from the government-owned National Bureau of Statistics and other authoritative organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Bank and African Development Bank have confirmed that millions of Nigerians are deeply entangled in poverty and food insecurity, which portend dire consequences for the country.

“Hence, this latest stretch of Nigeria’s credulity will most certainly accentuate further breeding of multidimensional poverty and hunger, which would not augur well for the country and the administration.

“Therefore, we call on President Tinubu to listen to the voices of the people who elected him, to prioritize their welfare, and to demonstrate that his administration is one that cares for the common man.

“The CNG cautions that accountability, transparency, and evidence-based policies must not be jettisoned to be upheld as democratic values upon which our democracy should thrive better.”