The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called for immediate intervention of the presidency and National Assembly on the lingering fuel scarcity and the recent increase in electricity tariff in the country.
The group, which expressed serious concerns on the untold hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of the dual problems, said posterity would judge the government if it fails to swiftly address the economic issues.
“We are outraged at the failure of the relevant authorities to address this critical issue that directly affects millions of ordinary Nigerians, resulting in long queues at fuel stations, hike in transportation costs, and untold suffering for millions of law-abiding Nigerians.
“The CNG is dismayed that despite the assurances from the NNPCL, the fuel scarcity has continued to worsen selling above N1000 per liter, leading to skyrocketing prices of goods and services.
“We are worried that if this situation is not addressed urgently, it could lead to further impoverishment and destitution of the already dejected Nigerians; thus, the CNG demands that the Executive and the Legislative arms need to understand the implications of fuel scarcity on national security and the economy, ” a statement signed by National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, on Monday, said.
The group also called on President Bola Tinubu to engage the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on the fuel scarcity issue, even as it urged the National Assembly to ensure the reversal of the new electricity tariff.
“President Bola Tinubu must engage with NNPCL and marketers to pursue an immediate and comprehensive solution to this artificially-created fuel scarcity as a ploy by unscrupulous elements in the system to sabotage it and ooze out the remnant of good life from ordinary Nigerians.
” The CNG argues that excuses from the Marketers and explanations from the NNPLC are flawed and untenable as there are no fundamental disruptions in the system that can warrant current predicament.
” The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the GMD of the NNPLC must explain measures being taken to end the fuel scarcity and ensure that fuel is available to citizens at affordable prices.
” The CNG urges the Federal Government and the National Assembly to take this matter seriously and act with urgency to address the situation as it has the potential to erode lives and livelihoods if left unchecked.
” We warn that if the issue is not decisively dealt with, Nigerians will continue to view them as monstrous and wicked people that are after their personal aggrandizement to the detriment of unsuspecting Nigerians.
” Nigerians may not continue to endure more sufferings due to the incompetence and corruption of a few individuals without due regards to their human dignity and minimum means of economic survival with a fickle prosperity.
” Similarly, the CNG is further alarmed by the perennial electricity blackout and recent tariff hike that have plunged Nigerians into darkness and economic hardship.
” The DISCOs backed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have continued to charge Nigerians a new exorbitant price of N225 per unit as against the old N68 that the National Assembly instructed them to revert.
” We condemn this as unacceptable and the National Assembly must rise to the occasion utilizing their constitutionally-backed institutional response to ensure the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) comply with their earlier directive of reversing the exploitative tariff on Nigerians.
“The CNG contends that such policies have devastating impacts on the economy, security, and wellbeing of Nigerians, particularly in the northern regions.
“We urge the President through NERC to enforce compliance of reversion to the old price as instructed by the legislature as NERC and DISCOs must not continue the upward review amidst epileptic power supply that has stooped to an unprecedented low in recent history.
“Failure to revert to the old price in the interest of the people would directly depict the administration as unpopular, undemocratic and in complete departure from people-centric policies.
” The CNG reminds the administration that the increase without commensurate increase in the provision of electricity is tantamount to crippling the nation and strangulating citizens into the ditch of hopelessness and despair.
” The CNG rejects the outrageous increment imposed on Nigerians which has further exacerbated the already dire living conditions of the people.
” The recent raise, which has increased the cost of electricity by over 200%, is not only discriminatory but also insensitive to the plight of the poor and working-class Nigerians through exploitations by the power sector operators.
” We challenge the leaders to prove their concern and compassion to the masses through leveraging on their power and influence to bring succor to Nigerians.
” The CNG is of the view that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) must deploy some of the strategies they deployed in addressing the forex crisis to get rid of some saboteurs in the petroleum and power sectors to permanently nip the fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply in the bud.
“We are therefore compelled to counsel President Tinubu to take result-oriented actions to put a halt to the dual devastating exploitations through artificial fuel scarcity and inhumane electricity tariff increment by a select few that must be held accountable.
“The President must note that perennial power outage and acute fuel scarcity have caused immense suffering and hardship for Nigeria and Nigerians, affecting their wellbeing, livelihoods and economic stability as many compatriots can no longer afford basic necessities of life.
“The brazen extreme torture occasioned by skyrocketed charge with no light and deliberate scuttling of fuel in the country must not continue unabated. The bulk stops with the President and must remember that should his carrot approach fails, the stick one must be deployed in the interest of the country,” the statement added.
