NIGERIAN masses have rejected the new pump price of petrol to N151.56 per liter saying that such increment while majority of citizens are battling to overcome the effects of lockdown of the economy is not a wise decision.
The leading opposition, Peoples Democratic party, PDP in a statement after the announcement described the hike as another plot by the APC government to kill Nigerians before their time.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has also condemned the increment saying that government must suspend the policy with immediate effect.
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of PDP in the last election, Atiku Abubakar criticized the hike saying that the time is inconsistent with the policy.
“I reject the increased electricity tariffs. Coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous disregard for the challenges they face. Many Nigerians have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. This increase is ill-timed and ill-advised”, Atiku stated.
The Federal Government increased the pump price of petrol to N151.56 per litre, up from N148, the third increase in three months.
A statement by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC on Wednesday informed the depots owners of the increase.
But the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said it was yet to get the official directive from government on the new price.
In the statement signed by PPMC Lead Sales- Ibadan Depot D.O Abalaka, the agency said : “Please be informed that a new product price adjustment has been effected on our payment platform”.
“To this end, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is now one hundred and fifty-one naira, fifty-six kobo (N151.56k) per litre.”
He added that “This takes effect from September 2, 2020.”
However, Chinedu Okoronkwo, the IPMAN president said their members were yet to get the directive.
He said what the PPMC did was to inform the depots owners of the new price and the marketers would get the clearer picture about the new price on or before Thursday.