Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has reacted to the continuous hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol,saying the situation is biting very hard on Nigerian citizens.
Adams’ reaction came as Nigerians have been pouring out their minds on the increasing price of the petroleum product,insisting that Nigeria can no longer bear the hardship that has put the entire nation on its knees.
Aare Gani Adams in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the situation has added to the plights of ordinary Nigerians,saying such skyrocketing increase has never happened in Nigeria’s history.
“This situation is becoming very unbearable.There is no country in the world like Nigeria (a major producer of oil) that the citizens are groaning in pain over an insensitive increase in the prices of fuel.
“We know how much we buy fuel before now. Nigeria is yet to survive the subsidy removal that led to the sudden increase in the price of fuel from N187 to N500 per litre before it was jerked up now to N617 per litre within two months. It is painful. No sensitive government would be happy when the citizens are suffering.
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“It is imperative for me to speak up, especially, with what we experience now in the country. It is unfortunate, this is not what we expect from a president that is coming from the south west region of the country.
“As a product of this democratic struggle; a political activist and the father of the nation,President Bola Tinubu must know that the citizens are his children.Therefore, a father must work on the best way to solve the problem of the children.
“With the present situation in the country,three state governors have declared a three-day work free day for civil servants in their respective states.
“The national leadership of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU),had directed its members nationwide to attend their respective workplaces only two days in a week.
“The new directive was premised on the recent price hike on fuel,and this has worsened the cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities increasing by over 300 percent.
“All over the world, many things have been subsidised in the interest of the mass of the people.Power, health,food and other necessities of life are being subsidised.
“Petrol being the main commodity that moves the economy. And now the same product is being sold for N617 per litre. It is unbearable.
“For instance,an ordinary Nigerian worker travelling from Mainland to Island on a weekly basis would spend 25 litres of fuel per day, that is over N15,000.
“In a week, it is N75,000 per week, and in a month, it amounts to over N300,000 in one month. That is too bad for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Energy, including Petrol, Diesel or Gas need to be subsidised because of productivity’s sake. No economy survives high cost of energy.
“It is the responsibility of every government to subsidise food-that is what is called food security.When the government subsidises energy that is energy security.
“Presently Germany has subsidised electricity,and it would cost 5 billion Euros,for its industrial output in 2023.What it means is that the government of Germany has taken up about 80 percent of the cost from industrialists and major manufacturers in the country.
“This is added to the fact that in Germany,the government subsidised food, energy, health and housing and they have an enduring welfare and social security scheme that caters to the needs of vulnerable and indigent citizens of the country.
“As at 2022,China has subsidised energy with 130 billion dollars.And also,over 100 billion dollars is being subsidised on energy in Britain.
“All over the world, governments are subsidising energy to boost productivity.It is sad that presently people are losing their jobs, more businesses are collapsing,and companies are folding up and tension is heightened in the country.
“Hyperinflation is setting in and it shows nothing but the insensitivity of the new administration.
“Nigeria runs an informal economy and PMS is the most important energy source in Nigeria, therefore, President Tinubu has to retrace his steps in order to save the country from this hardship”,Iba Gani Adams stated.
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