The Reason Why Reps Ordered the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) to Stop N151 Fuel Price Increase

INTRO: Led by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Caucus in the House of Reps on Wednesday ordered the Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC) to arrest the increase of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N148 to N151. The group of Reps challenged the APC-led government to devise strategies for reducing the price instead.

Their major reason is that the increase will aggravate the harsh economic conditions which the citizenry of Nigeria are already suffering given that petrol is an essential product which its price hike will lead to inflation.

In the words of the spokesman, the increase in price is “unacceptable as it will result in an increase in the already high cost of consumer goods and services, and worsen the current economic hardship being suffered by Nigerians”.

“The minority caucus in the House of Representatives, rejects the announced increase in the pump price of fuel.

“This is because such increase will directly result in more hardship on our citizens, particularly at this critical time when majority of Nigerians, across the country, are struggling to survive under the burden of high cost of living and low purchasing power occasioned by the prevailing economic challenges.

“Any increase in the cost of essential commodity like fuel will therefore bring more hardship to the people and as such should not be contemplated”.

 

It is heart-warming to hear the minority group in the House of Reps speaking truth to power. It is incomprehensible that the APC government has been insensitive to the plights of the people at the face of the coronavirus pandemic. In sane countries, stimulus packages are given but it is a different ball game in Nigeria. It has been increments in VAT, Stamp Duty, electricity tariff, and now, fuel pump price hike. Haba! Did they swear for this government?