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 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.
