Environmental activists fighting for climate justice, the right to sustainable environment and improved living conditions for Nigerians have decried the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and security agencies for the incessant increases in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol and the worsening insecurity in the country.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its board meeting and retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently, the Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) bemoaned the state of the nation, maintaining that the constant increases in the pump price of petrol, the exacerbating insecurity in the North and other parts of the country, escalating food prices and floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, among others, represent a betrayal of Nigerians by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.
The communiqué, signed by Chairman, Board of Eden, Barrister Chima Williams and its Secretary, Philip Jakpor, drew the government’s attention to the ‘unquantifiable sufferings’ of Nigerians since the current administration assumed office on May 29, 2023.
They pleaded with the Tinubu government to do everything in its powers to assuage the hardship and sufferings the decisions and policy direction of the government have foisted on Nigerians, adding: “If government perceives that its policies are not favourable to majority of the citizens, it should be bold enough to reverse such unpopular policies and programmes to improve the living standards of the citizens.”
The communiqué further reads: “We have watched with trepidation the drama surrounding the increase in the pump price of fuel which has unleashed a chain of consequences on innocent and poor Nigerians and businesses.
“We recall with dismay that the resolution of the minimum wage imbroglio between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government was hinged on an agreement that the minimum wage will remain at N70,000 for the average worker as the basis for not increasing the pump price of fuel.
“The Presidency did not refute reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had told the representatives of NLC that the N250000 minimum wage they were asking for will only be paid to workers if the pump price is increased. So we find it as a betrayal that while the government is yet to commence the payment of the N70000 minimum wage, the NNPC has hastily foisted another fuel price hike on Nigerians.
“Nigerians are now buying fuel for between N1000 and N1500, a development which has unleashed another chain of increases of basic services such as transportation cost and food prices across board.”
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They expressed concern that the government has shown through its actions that it was not ready to listen to Nigerians and “because of this, we join all well-meaning lovers of this country to demand an immediate reversal of the pump price of fuel to the pre-inauguration price. Anything short of this smacks of insensitivity to the genuine wishes of Nigerians to live and earn a decent income. It is also a recipe for more protests across the country.”
On insecurity, the group recalled that during President Tinubu’s inaugural address in Abuja on Monday, May 29, 2023, he (Tinubu) promised Nigerians that the dire security situation in the country, especially the terrorism in the North East, would be addressed headlong.
“Over a year after that promise, we are yet to notice any pro-active response to the insecurity menace ravaging the land. Instead, Nigerians are maimed, abducted and killed daily and their bodies desecrated by terrorists with no clear ideological leaning.
“The insecurity in the land is not restricted only to the North-East where Boko Haram and their compatriots hold sway or to the South-East where unknown gunmen maim and kill unchallenged, but also to other parts of the country where kidnapping for ransom and organ harvesting are now daily occurrences.
“We are disturbed that Nigerians who have been impoverished by the government policies and forced to rely only on the roads for travel now feel apprehensive in using inter-state roads especially when their trips span into the evening hours. Not only has this development killed businesses that rely on travelers on the highway but also the abundant tourism potential of the nations that has taken a big hit,” the communiqué further reads.
The group enjoined the current administration to go beyond equipping the police with gadgets for modern policing to overhauling the nation’s security architecture with a strong leaning on the state police initiative, the agitation for which has unfortunately gone cold as state governors’ delay its actualization.
It also canvassed adequate motivation of the country’s policemen and women through trainings, enhanced living wages and insurance schemes that would not only cater to their immediate needs, but also take care of their wards in the event that they pay the ultimate price in their service to the nation.
