By Kazeem Akolawole
Reactions have continued to trail the removal of fuel subsidy by the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Nigerians saying it has brought economic hardship upon them.
The immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had slated June 30, 2023, to end subsidy regime for PMS in Nigeria.
However, Tinubu, in his inauguration speech on May 29, had declared that fuel subsidy is “gone”, leading to immediate scarcity of the product as most filling stations closed their gates to the public.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) followed up on the announcement two days later with the release of new pump prices in its filling stations across the country which ranged from 488 to 557 naira per litre. Before the announcement, it sold for 198 per litre.
Consequently, motorists increased transport fares to reflect the changes, leaving many passengers who use public transport stranded as they were not prepared for the over 300 percent transport fare rise.
Speaking on the issue with our correspondent, Aliu Musa, a motorcycle rider, popularly known as okada, lamented that the fuel price hike has caused confusion and hardship not only for the passengers, but also for transporters like him.
Musa said he bought fuel at a fuel station in Kado, Life Camp Area of Abuja, at the rate of N540 per litre, which is three times what it used to cost but many passengers refused to patronise him due to the high price increase.
“This has caused a lot of confusion and hardship for me and my business because this is the only thing I do to feed my family,” he stated.
Another okada rider, Sabiu Mohammed, also shared his experience which was similar to Musa’s own. He said passengers’ patronage had drastically dropped but expressed optimism that people would get used to the fuel price hike soon.
Similarly, Simon Ishaku, a cart pusher who carries goods of passengers for a fee at the popular Karmo market in Abuja, said he had gotten very low patronage since the beginning of the fuel price hike crisis.
“Many of my customers have refused to come to the market to buy things because government increased fuel price and prices of goods have immediately changed and many people are complaining that they can no longer afford to buy them.
“We only make money when people come to buy goods in the market because we will help them to carry it to the motor park or to their house if it is near the market.
He appealed to the government to co sider reviewing the price of fuel, saying: “Help us beg the government and the new President to take the price of fuel to how it was before so that people will patronise us.”
A trader who deals im groceries and confectionery, Ms Magret Igho, disclosed that a major hike in food products prices is imminent as manufacturers and distributors have started sending messages to their customers informing them of increase in the prices of food items and commodities.
“Although we are still selling some items at the old price, our manufacturers and distributors who supply us goods have started sending us messages to notify us of price increase,” she said.
Labour Rejects Abrupt Removal of Fuel Subsidy With Planned Strike Action
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the umbrella body of worker unions across Nigeria, has asked the Federal Government to reverse itself on fuel subsidy removal or be prepares for its members to down tools in a nationwide strike action billed to start next Wednesday.
NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, rising from an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the congress in Abuja on Friday, said the government must put necessary buffers in place first before proceeding to remove fuel subsidy in order to cushion the effect on the masses.
The new price represents over 200 percent increase compared to the old price of N198 and the price varies in different parts of the country based on distance from Lagos from where the product is shipped to various locations in Nigeria.
According to the NNPCL price template released on Wednesday, Lagos State has the least price of N488, while Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and Yobe State, the capital of Damaturu, will sell at N577 per litre.
These new rates are expected to lead to a drastic increase in the price of goods and services across the country.
More Nigerians Protest
Meanwhile, a Civil Society Group on the auspices of Free Nigeria Movement has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest if the Federal Government does not reverse its pronouncement on fuel subsidy removal.
The Convener of the Group, Dr. Moses Paul, at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, said if the government failed to reverse the pronouncement, the group would begin national protests within the next seven (7) days.
In 2012, the Save Nigeria Group pulled notable Nigerians together in Lagos State to object to the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan, leading to the suspension of the action.
The Free Nigeria Group leader said the planned protest “is the lawful duty and right of every Nigerian,” adding, “We are aware of ongoing talks with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and many actors lobbying for an acceptance of the new pump price.
“We call on the NLC to remain steadfast in standing with the poor people of Nigeria and never compromising their position.
“As always, we call on Nigerians to stand up to defend our country and our right to live with every inch of dignity in it.”
