***Says it has never been this bad in Nigeria’s history’

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, has criticised the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, in the country, saying its effect is biting very hard on Nigerian citizens.

Adams’ reaction came as Nigerians have been pouring out their minds against the hike, insisting that the people can no longer bear the hardship that has put the entire nation on its kneels.

The Aareonakakanfo, 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.

He said: “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 insensitive increase in the prices of fuel.

“We know how much we were buying 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.

“It is imperative for me to speak up, especially with what we are experiencing now in the country. It is unfortunate, this is not what we expect from a President that is coming from the Southwest region of the country.

“As a product of this democratic struggle, a political activist and the father of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must know that the citizens are his children. Therefore, a father must work on the best way to solve the problems of the children.

“With the present situation in the country, three state governors have declared a three-day working period in a week for civil servants in their respective states to mitigate the hardship their people are going through with the hike. In fact, 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 directive was premised on the recent fuel price hike, which has worsened the cost of transportation, food and other essential commodities which have increased by over 300 percent.

“All over the world, many things are being subsidised in the interest of the masses, including power, health, food and other necessities of life.

“It is sad that petrol which is the main commodity that moves the economy is now selling 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 which is over N15,000. In a week, it is N75,000, and in a month, it amounts to over N300,000 naira. That is too bad for Nigeria and its people.

“Energy, including Petrol, Diesel and 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 five 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, 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. Hyper inflation 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 the country, therefore, President Tinubu has to retrace his step in order to save the country from this hardship.”

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