Increase In Pump Price Of Petrol, An Indication Of FG's Insensitivity To The Plight Of Nigerians By Eriacy Confidence

 Increase In Pump Price Of Petrol, An Indication Of FG's Insensitivity To The Plight Of Nigerians

...Call for a peaceful Protest 

By Eriacy Confidence  Oba 

Coneri Magazine 

The recent increase in the pump price of petrol from N148 to N151.56 by the Federal Government, the third increase in three months and in a time the country is yet to recover fully from the quake and hardship brought about by the outbreak of the novel corona virus pandemic is not only an indication of a Government that is insensitive to the plight of its citizens but a revelation of the present administration's lack of  commitment to reducing the sufferings of the people to the barest minimum and her peceived incapability to bring about the needed economic transformation. 

The Federal Government in what they claimed was a measure to reduce the spread of corona virus in the country had imposed lock down in almost all the states of the federation and closure of interstate borders leading to untold hardships to the ordinary Nigerians who depend on the streets for survival with several people loosing their lucrative jobs, sanity and family and finding it almost impossible to survive

especially as several companies laid off their staff to be able to remain in business. And because the roads were closed, those in diaspora could not return home to find another means of livelihood. When it became unbearably worse, some ordinary Nigerians decided to defy all odds since corona virus was said to be on the street, to find a way of survival by going on the internet with their little savings or feeding money to sell their goods and services. The telecom providers and their indigenous collaborators turned them into milking cows with exorbitant charges and illegal deductions and made life unnecessarily unbearable, coupled with the activities of some unscrupulous elements online who use the internet to defraud the inspecting public. Many people, including members of relatives and friends were defrauded and their hopes for survival dashed. 

In the heat of the scotch, News started filtering into our ears that other countries had provided relief materials for their citizens. They became even more patriotic and hopeful. While they waited for such cheering news to replicate in their clime, joblessless, hunger, poverty, frustration and depression giggled at them forcing many on the vehicle of suicide and social vices. And to satisfy their curiosity for survival, the FG announced the distribution of palliative to Nigerians. 

But like a hungry man who only perceives the aroma of the good food in his neighbor's fenced compound, the several billions of Naira and items donated by organizations and individuals to the country and announced to have been released to cushion the effects of the hardship did not get to the supposed masses. But instead, circulated amongst friends and relatives of those in Government.

And now instead of looking for avenues to compensate Nigerians with people oriented policies and programmes as the country struggles to pull out of the impact of the pandemic, the FG has rather resorted to increasing the pump price of petroleum motor spirit which invariably means an increase in every product and service in the country. This move, to be honest is untimely and presents the present APC led Federal Government as one that doesn't consider the welfare of its people. 

I hereby call on friends of the poor, both individuals and organizations to rise up to the task of protecting the poor masses from this clueless and anti people administration. And If need be, stage a peaceful protest against this recent increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit.