Nigerian Citizen Action Group, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has berated the Federal Government (FG) for the hike in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), giving it a seven-day ultimatum to reverse the new price.
The group, in a statement on Saturday signed by Isah Abubakar, its national president; Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly and Engr Salahudeen Lukman, Co-Convener, Intellectual Young Leaders Network, maintained that it was disheartening that in spite of the current economic situation, with hardship, pain, hunger and insecurity, that President Muhammadu Buhari would want to inflict more pains on Nigerians.
The group maintained that it was completely an act of irresponsibility and insensitivity for the Federal Government to increase PMS pump price at this critical time in the country, stressing that Nigerians would not tolerate the continued extortive tendencies of the All Progressives Congressives (APC) led federal administration.
“The pump price was increased from N87 to N145, yet Nigerians never complained out of faith. But, with the current crude oil price in the international market, Nigerians should not buy fuel above N70 per liter.
“But, Federal Government pegged PMS price at N123 and Nigerians accepted it in spite of the fact that it is unjust.
“The fact remains that the incumbent government under President Buhari has lost touch with reality and connection with basic human pain and suffering in the country, hence it could take the decision to hike the PMS to N145 again.
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It added: “President Buhari must learn how to listen to the masses, consider the critical pain Nigerians are passing through on a daily basis, with the current hike in pump price of PMS, Nigeria would witness high rate of crime and inflation.”
The group maintained that the nonchalant attitude to the plight of the common man by Buhari administration was alarming, pointing out that no government had ever enjoyed enough goodwill of the people like the present administration.
“This government has continued to ride on people’s emotion and faith. Fuel was hiked from N87 to N145 not long when the APC took over power in 2015, we allowed it at that time because we taught the government had good intentions.
“But, with the way things are going, this government is visionless, careless, senseless and has penchant for inflicting hardship on the citizens.”
While, rejecting the new pump price, the group said it would not fold its arms and allow what it termed a sacrilege to happen.
It stressed that if the price was not reversed within seven days from Saturday, it would mobilise Nigerian youth en mass to shut down Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) headquartres and the Petroleum Product Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) headquartres, simultaneously in Abuja.
The group stated further, “Mr. President, we are no longer comfortable with your silence over exploitative nature of your government.
“Under your leadership, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor has supervised the highest tax regime in Nigeria through different exploitative charges including stamp duties.
“We know this is not your agreement with the Nigerian people. You must take action and work for the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria nation at large. It’s your responsibility to make life better for every citizen.”
