The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) vehemently opposes the planned increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit to N700 per liter. Describing it as unacceptable and an act of mischief and sabotage, the CSOs have declared their intention to resist this move. They plan to picket filling stations that sell fuel above the government-approved price, challenging the authority of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to unilaterally raise prices.
In a statement released on Friday, Dr Basil Yelwa Musa, along with co-conveners Malam Haruna Maigida and Ayo Adebayo, expressed disappointment at the proposed increase. They highlighted the ongoing “price shock” experienced by Nigerians following the previous fuel price increment on May 29.
The coalition firmly stated their commitment to shutting down any filling station found selling fuel above the approved price. They accused IPMAN of operating as a parallel government outside the constitutionally recognized administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The CSOs pledged to mobilize their members and engage stakeholders across Nigeria’s 36 states in a protest action. Their objective is to effectively shut down filling stations nationwide, citing the detrimental impact that such price hikes would have on the lives of Nigerians. Notable members of the coalition include the Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group, Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development (CED), Centre for Citizens Rights, Centre for Good Governance Advocacy, and Action against Corruption in Nigeria.
The coalition has called on the government to intervene and address the situation, emphasizing that the Nigerian population is already burdened by the recent fuel price adjustment, which lacks adequate palliative measures.
The CSOs firmly assert that IPMAN lacks the statutory power to adjust fuel prices. They declare their unwavering commitment to resisting any attempt to implement such an increase and warn of widespread protests across the nation should this occur. The coalition views an uncensored rise in fuel prices as a deliberate collusion that will further exacerbate the difficulties faced by Nigerians.
Concerns Over Inflation and Accountability:
The coalition argues that the proposed pump price increase, if realized, would lead to a staggering 451% surge compared to the initial price set by the Tinubu administration. They express concerns about the potential hyperinflationary effect on the cost of goods nationwide. The CSOs also raise questions about IPMAN’s role in the sudden drop in petrol consumption from 66 million to 40 million liters per day after the removal of fuel subsidies. They call on IPMAN to adapt and eliminate any sharp practices in the downstream sector.
