Katsina CSOs Condemn Fuel Price Hike

• Urge FG, NNPCL to reverse price 

Francis Sardauna in Katsina 

The coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State has condemned the increase in fuel price from N540 to N617 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The state chairman of the coalition, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdullahi, denounced what he termed sudden price increase of the product in a message sent to THISDAY on Thursday.

NNPCL on Tuesday, announced an increase in the pump price of petrol nationwide from N537 per litre to N617. 

The oil firm claimed that market forces were responsible for the increase in the pump price of petrol.

But Abdullahi, in the message, described the NNPCL’s decision as the highest level of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerian citizens, especially the downtrodden.

He said the increase in petroleum price would trigger the hardship for Nigerians and make youths more vulnerable for recruitment into banditry and other nefarious activities.

Consequently, he called on the NNPCL and the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, reverse the price in order to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens.

He urged the government to cushion the effect of subsidy removal by reviving the nation’s moribund refineries, reviewing minimum wage, subsidising transportation fare and soaring cost of foodstuffs.

Abdullahi said: “The increase will further aggravate the current hardship Nigerians are passing through and will make our youths more vulnerable for recruitment into banditry and other criminal activities.

“Hence, the government should consider reversing this increase to the old price. We call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, focus attention on cushioning the effects of subsidy removal by channelling resources in reviving our moribund refineries.

“And subsidising transportation and soaring cost of food stuffs, as well as reviewing minimum wage to speak with the current situation.This should be expedited rather than aggravating the situation by more increase in fuel price.”