Condemnation has trailed the fuel price hike from N617/litre to a staggering N897/per litre, announced by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited Retail Management yesterday, Tuesday, September 3.
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The Network Against Corruption And Trafficking (NACAT), in a statement issued today (Wednesday, September 4, by its operational manager, Stanley Ugagbe described the increase as a direct betrayal of public trust.
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Declaring his organisation’s ‘unequivocally rejection of this hike in fuel prices’ and its demand for an immediate reversal, Ugagbe said:Â “It is with rude shock that we received the recent surreptitious, abrupt and unconscionable hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which has skyrocketed from N617/liter to a staggering N897/liter, as approved by the NNPC Retail Management.
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“Evidences at our disposal reveal that this price has been effected across board and Independent filling stations across the country have further exacerbated the situation by selling petrol for between N950 and N1,000 per liter, with Abuja being among the hardest-hit areas.
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“As an organization that promotes good governance, transparency, rule of law and sustenance of the security and wellbeing of Nigerians in the project of nation building, we see this latest increase, coming on the heels of the relentless economic torment inflicted on Nigerians by the current administration, as nothing short of a betrayal of the public trust.Â
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“It is an egregious affront to the collective well-being of the Nigerian people, who have already been subjected to untold hardships by a series of failed policies.Â
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“The government’s cavalier attitude towards the suffering of the masses is deeply troubling and unacceptable.
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“NACAT unequivocally rejects this hike in fuel prices and demands an immediate reversal. We call on all Nigerians to rise in their might, to speak out, and to reject this continued imposition of toxic economic hardships that could push our nation into an irredeemable abyss.
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“This government’s history of unaccountability since its inception is a matter of grave concern.”
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He also expressed shock at the revelation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) about fuel price increase and minimum wage, noting that “We are appalled by revelations from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that this hike in fuel prices directly contradicts the understanding reached with the government regarding the N70,000 minimum wage.Â
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“The NLC has made it clear that the decision to accept the N70,000 minimum wage was predicated on the promise that PMS prices would remain stable.Â
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“As Nigerians, we recall the president’s infamous ultimatum, which forced the NLC to choose between two devastating options: a N250,000 minimum wage with fuel prices between N1,500 and N2,000, or a N70,000 minimum wage at the old PMS rates.
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“The NLC chose the latter, only to be met with this shocking betrayal barely a month later, and before the government has even begun paying the new minimum wage.
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“As a leading anti-corruption and trafficking body, we state clearly that corruption thrives where poverty prevails.Â
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“We know very well that with the increase in fuel price, everything in the country will immediately skyrocket in prices and this will give room to civil servants as well as public office holders to steal more in order to cover up the cost of things.Â
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“This will enable even the Nigerian Police notorious for taking bribes to demand higher bribes from Nigerians, who if they refuse to pay the higher sum, will likely be arrested on false charges or even killed in the process and then labeled criminals.”
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In conclusion, he added that  NACAT  “stands resolute in its condemnation of this fuel price hike and all other policies that continue to impoverish and punish Nigerians,” assuring that “we will not rest until justice is served, and the rights and dignity of every Nigerian are upheld.”
