Fuel Price Hike: Civil Society groups protest in Edo, reject N8,000 palliative for Nigerians

*Civil Society groups, marching through the major streets in Benin, Edo State capital, have also rejected the proposed N8,000 palliative the Federal Government is proposing to cushion effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on ‘vulnerable’ Nigerians

*Rest assured we’re on course to ease the pain of fuel subsidy removal on consumers -Sen. George Akume, SGF

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the recent removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, several civil society groups, under the aegis of the Edo Civil Society Organisations, have taken to the streets of Benin City, the state capital, in protest over the resultant hikes in fuel prices across the country.

Investigations revealed the pump prices of petroleum product now range from ‘regulated’ N617 to N800 per litre, especially in Lagos, and some other parts of Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports the civil society groups, carrying placards with several inscriptions, also rejected the proposed N8,000 palliative being proposed by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on millions of “vulnerable” Nigerians.

The protesters Monday, July 24, 2023, marched through some major streets in Edo State, while  condemning the recent fuel price increases as well the claimed relatively high cost of governance in the country.

The downtrodden groan under new fuel regime, say protesters

It was also gathered the protesters expressed concern over what they described as an increment in the price of petrol amid the attendant penury among the populace.

The protesting groups claimed that the newly-inaugurated members of the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, are made to share huge sums running into billions of Naira to improve their working conditions, while the downtrodden groan under the new fuel regime.

The Edo civil society groups also rejected the proposed N8,000 palliative by the Federal Government, following the termination  of the controversial fuel subsidy regime in the economy.

Government reassures consumers of solution, urges for patience

Against the backdrop of the recent petrol subsidy removal, the protest comes almost two months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared  while delivering his inaugural address in Abuja, that the subsidy era is gone!

Barely 24 hours after President Tinubu’s pronouncement at the Eagle Square venue of the Presidential Inauguration, in Abuja, the product prices have increased from about N520 per litre to between N617 and N700 respectively across the country.

Though the Federal Government has explained the move is in the best interest of the entire country and consumers, critics and analysts have argued the price hikes will plunge the country into socio-economic crisis.

However, the Federal Government few weeks back proposed an N8,000 palliative for about 12 million vulnerable Nigerian consumers, but later said it would review it after a wave of backlash from the masses of the Nigerian people.

The Federal Government also urged patience and said measures were being worked out to ease off the burden occasioned by the subsidy removal.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) reportedly said Sunday evening: “As a government, we have heard your cries about fuel price increases, and be rest assured, we are working round the clock to normalise and bring solutions that ease the pain.

“Our job is to give you the quality of life you deserve when you wake up. So far, we are on course.”

Some State Governments, such Bayelsa, and others have rolled out vehicles to aid movement of goods and persons.

Kindly Share This Story