SPECIAL REPORT: Voice Of The People Over Hike In Petrol Price, Electricity Tariff

Several happenings and decisions in Nigeria have birthed diverse reactions of either appreciation from her people or annoyance. With leaders of different tenures, the country has experienced unexpected decisions such as an increase in tax, transportation, bank charges, amongst others.

While Nigerians welcome some of these, they stand against others, stating that the government is inconsiderate.

In recent, News broke out about an increase in electricity tariff and petrol pricing. Upon getting the information, several Nigerians, associations and group have reacted to happening.

Recall Ekohotblog had reported the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol was increased to N151.56 per on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. The notification got to the newsmen through an internal memo which was issued by the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Ibadan depot, to all the stakeholders on September 2, 2020, and signed by the Depot Manager, D.O. Abalaka.

In the statement, it read, “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 (N151.56) per litre. This is effective 2nd September 2020.”

Meanwhile, a day before the hike in PMS, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission announced an increase in electricity tariff with effect from Tuesday, September 1, 2020. It was reported that for Ikeja Electric, a residential customer on single-phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply would have to pay N42.73 per KWh, up from N21.30 per kWh and Eko Electricity Distribution Company had said a residential customer on single-phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply will now pay N43.01 per kWh, up from N24 per kWh.

WHAT FILLING STATIONS DID IMMEDIATELY

Following the increase of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) that was announced, some filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states have adjusted their pump prices, selling the product at between N150 and N162 per litre.

News had it that several filling stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, observed that Fatgbems sold a litre of petrol at N162; NNPC, N160; and Mobil, N159.9. Meanwhile, Enyo sold the product at N159.9 per litre; Capital Oil and Gas, N158; and Oando, N150.

While all of these increase are on the continuum, Nigerians with various experiences said different fuel stations have continued to sell in in prices which favours them.

WHAT OFFICIALS, PDP, ASSOCIATIONS HAVE SAID

The former  Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, who spoke against the increase in electricity tariff through a tweet described the increase in electricity tariff as “ill-timed”.

Instead of a hike in electricity tariff, the former presidential candidate said Nigerians deserve a stimulus after the lockdown.

He wrote, “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.”

In its reaction to the rise in PMS and electricity pricing, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it demands an immediate reversal of the new hikes to avert a national crisis.

It said the increase will result in upsurge in costs of goods and services and worsen the biting hardship being faced by Nigerians.

“Our party asserts that by increasing the price of fuel from the N87 per litre it sold under the PDP to an excruciating N151 while at the same time allowing the hike in electricity tariff from N30.23 per kwh to over N66, the APC has left no one in doubt that its agenda is to inflict pain and hardship on Nigerians to satisfy their selfish interests.

“It is distressing that the APC administration increased the cost of essential commodities at the time the leadership of other countries are offering palliatives to their citizens to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is instructive to add that our nation is doomed under the APC watch,” the party said.

Meanwhile, following all of the increase, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and 79 other civil society organisations are set to hold nationwide protests and strike action next week over the increment of the fuel price and electricity tariff.

In the same vein, Human Rights Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said it was evil of the government to increase the prices of essential commodities during a pandemic. He said while other countries were making life easier for their citizens through tax cuts and palliatives, the Nigerian government was doing the exact opposite.

In a related development, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, expressed its concern over the recent hike in fuel price.

The Association said the increase in price was not caused by the global price of crude oil but a deliberate devaluation of the naira by the Federal Government.

“What are the drivers of the pump price? The driver of the pump price is the currency exchange. What has necessitated this today is not actually because of the fact that the product pricing is increasing internationally. The crude oil price relatively in the last six months has been hovering between $40 and $45 per barrel.

“But what has necessitated this is actually the devaluation. Today, we observe that in the last three months, we have had a 25 per cent devaluation of our currency. The government did it deliberately to have more money.

“They now have more money having done the devaluation and are now passing the burden to us because petroleum is not refined in Nigeria but abroad and everything is priced in dollars. The cost of crude oil, labour cost and all other costs that go into it are priced in dollars.

“So, by the time you bring it to Nigeria and ask us to pay in naira which has been devalued, by the time you factor in the 25 per cent devaluation of the naira, you will have to pay more.”

WHAT NIGERIANS HAVE TO SAY

So far, Nigerians can no longer hold their emotions following the increase of the fuel price and electricity tariff to N151 and N66 respectively.

Taking to social media, Nigerians said different things to show their level of dissatisfaction in the ongoing development.

Expressing herself, a lady identified as Eunice, questioned the president over his promise. She asked, “PMB what happened to the 40naira fuel price you campaigned  about in 2014/2015?” While Dozzy wrote, “Hello Mr President, sometimes I wonder if you really know the pressing needs of people in yr country?? Increase in Electricity bills, increase in fuel price yet you haven’t said anything sir”

Sarcastic about his concerns, one Mr. Akanni Afeez lauded the presidential tactic to increase of tariffs, he said, “I like Buhari’s method of increasing fuel price. He will just add N2 or N3 per month.”

Also, a Nigerian identified as Film boy mentioned other aspects of the Nations which as encountered increase and to this, he admitted that Nigeria is experiencing change.

“Fuel Price increased, electricity tariff increased, Bank charges increased tax increased. APC and Buhari brought change indeed,” Film boy said.