The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) price downward to prevent further hardship on Nigerians.
In a statement by the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) on Tuesday, the caucus said that the current price of PMS also known as petrol was biting so hard on the common man.
Chinda, however, expressed the reservations and growing concerns of the caucus over the recent statement issued by NNPC Ltd regarding the fuel pricing arrangement between the corporation and the Dangote refineries.
According to him, NNPCL statement clearly indicated that the price of fuel has been set at an alarming N950 per litre in some parts of Nigeria, and as much as N1,000 per litre in other regions.
“We find this pricing regime to be not only burdensome, but utterly unacceptable, particularly in light of the fact that this fuel is refined locally.
“The pricing of locally refined fuel should be significantly lower than imported fuel, as it lacks the incidental costs associated with landing charges, import duties, and other taxes.
“Any fuel pricing regime that disregards these factors appear to be designed to unfairly exploit Nigerians, especially at a time when the average citizen is already grappling with severe economic challenges.
“We call on the Executive, relevant regulatory bodies and all concerned stakeholders to urgently review this pricing framework to ensure that Nigerians are not subjected to unjust and unsustainable fuel prices.
“The caucus remain committed to safeguarding the welfare of the Nigerian people and will continue to engage all necessary actors to ensure fair pricing that reflects the true value of locally refined fuel,” he said.
The lawmaker said that the current pricing arrangement, if allowed to persist, would only deepen the economic hardship experienced by millions of Nigerians.
He explained that it would further undermine trust in the ability of local refineries to provide affordable solutions to the nation’s fuel needs.
Chinda reminded all stakeholders, especially NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refineries, that the primary responsibility of both public and private enterprises in the energy sector was to serve the Nigerian people, not to profiteer at their expense. (NAN)
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Worried by the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) Sokoto State University chapter, the state government has concluded that it was a politically motivated action.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House, Sokoto, the state commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu expressed concerns that the management of Sokoto State University (SSU) should rather show some degree of appreciation to the governor Ahmed Aliyu led who have intervened in most of their challanges.
According to Prof. Maishanu, SSU had suffered neglect from previous administration thus leaving the state Ivory tower in a deplorable condition without electricity, dilapidated lecture rooms, and offices which rendered the institution unpalatable.
Continuing, Prof Maishanu said, despite not giving any document regarding assets and liabilities of SSU by the immediate past governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led government, the present administration of Ahmed Aliyu has restored cash allocation to the institution, payment of the stopped visiting lecturers salaries all in his pursuit of better education for he people of the state.
While stressing that the reasons giving for embarking on the strike by SSU ASUU which include, “Non- implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increase for both non academic and academic staff,
non payment of the check off dues, implementation of 25%-35% increase and the EAA, are issues that could be easily addressed as the governor has constituted committee to look into the complaint after it was presented, Prof. Maishanu appealed to the striking SSU ASUU to give peace a chance.
He added that the committee set up by governor Ahmed Aliyu had “obtained templates and relevant circulars and making frantic consultations with relevant agencies including the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment on the said matter’.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
