Anambra Lawmaker Emeneka, Others Ask FG To Reconsider Decision To Increase Petrol Pump Price

The discussion over the insinuation that the Federal Government of Nigeria is going to increase the pump price of petroleum products to over three hundred naira this year has continued to generate arguments.

Stakeholders in Awka, Anambra state have called on the Federal Government to put the interest of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians into consideration before arriving at any decision.

Correspondent Chibuzor Okoye sampled people’s opinion and reports that deregulation of the downstream sector or the removal of oil subsidy is not a new story to an average Nigerian.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had tried to remove the oil subsidy, but was met with stiff resistance by some opposition political parties and other Nigerians as at then, describing it as a fraud, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Just last year, the federal government through the minister of Finance, Budget and National planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed said that the federal government is determined to remove the fuel subsidy and rolled out measures they have put in place to cushion the adverse effects that may arise from the removal.

Reacting to the development, the member representing Anambra East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Emeneka called on President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to ensure that whatever step they will take is in the best interest of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Hon. Emeneka noted that considering the State of the Country’s economy, the Federal Government must look at the after effects of the fuel increment on the masses before taking any step-in order not to subject more Nigerians into abject poverty.

An All Progressives Grand Alliance chieftain in Awka, Engineer Chuks-Michael Mofunanya, regretted that the current price of the premium motor spirit is not even affordable to all Nigerians, and wondered why the Federal Government is desirous of increasing the fuel pump price.

Engineer Mofunanya advised the Buhari led administration not to increase the petrol pump price, rather, they should build modular refineries to ensure that the product is being refined in Nigeria to save Nigerians from untoward hardship.