‘It’s man’s inhumanity’ — APC governors accuse oil marketers of causing hardship

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), a group of governors
elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused oil
marketers of causing hardship in the country.

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo and PGF’s chairperson, spoke
on Friday after he led his colleagues to visit President Bola Tinubu at the Aso
Rock villa.

On Monday, Tinubu, in his inauguration speech, said the
subsidy regime was over, noting that it was not provided for in the 2023
appropriation act.

The president’s pronouncement sparked panic-buying of petrol
by Nigerians across the country.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC) Limited said it would adjust its pump prices to reflect market
realities. The commodity now sells for as high as N550 per litre.

Uzodinma expressed dismay that the marketers were quick to
increase prices when the product they had was already subsidised.

“For instance, from May 29 till today, I’m not aware that
any petroleum marketer has imported any product. All the products in their
storage facilities are those already imported, subsidised by the government,”
he said.

 “Why the rush to
increase the prices? It is man’s inhumanity to man. I think that what we should
do is be our brother’s keepers and learn how to save the firewood we got during
the dry season, so we can use it during the rainy season.

“But I also think that as we work towards improving the
economy of this country with the intention of creating prosperity, the
government will be reasonable enough to look at the reality on the ground and
address them as appropriate.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the man who has raised his
pump price from N300 plus to N500 plus is creating panic.”

Uzodinma said he expected market forces of demand and supply
to fix an appropriate price for citizens.

 “By next month, July,
the Dangote refinery will be on stream and it’s a very big refinery that will
make products available,” he said.

“You are aware that the federal government awarded
turnaround maintenance contracts for Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri
refineries, so if within the period, these refineries are working, products
will be available and the market forces will come into play.”