At a time when leaders across the globe are doing everything within their power to alleviate the hardships caused by the novel corona virus (COVID-19) on their citizens, Nigerians are being burdened with increase in the prices of utilities. The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (a.k.a GPAAN) under the leadership of Comrade Ayo Baje hereby condemns the recent increase in the price of petrol from N143 to N151: 52.
Recall, towards the end of August, the price of electricity was hiked from N22 per kilowatt to N66 per kilowatt and Nigerians have not recovered from the shock caused by that increase, that of fuel was added to it within a space of one week. In November 2019, Value Added Tax (VAT) was raised from 5% to 7.5% and in the same month, VAT was also placed on telephone communication. These burdens are too much on the ordinary Nigerians and they must stop.
It is necessary to state it clearly that during this period of the corona virus, leaders of other nations are providing succour to their citizens by asking them not to pay house rent for a period of time and also giving allowances to those that have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governments of some countries are giving grants to small business owners in order for them to remain in business. Yet in some countries, governments are paying the salaries of employees of big corporations so that such corporations don’t retrench their employees-all is to mitigate the pains brought on them by the corona virus.
The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigerian wishes to reiterate the fact that the corona virus is a global problem that affects all citizens of the world and for that reason if leaders of other countries deem it imperative to support their citizens the case of Nigerians shouldn’t be different. In this regard, we call on the federal government of Nigeria to revert to the old prices of petrol and electricity-N143 per litre and N22 per kilowatt respectively.
President Muhammadu Buhari should endeavour to repair the existing four refineries and also build additional two refineries to compliment them so that the importation of refined petroleum products will come to an end.
It is a known fact that the reason for the incessant increase in the prices of refined petroleum products is because we are not refining our crude oil but depends on importation of these products. Why is it so difficult for us to refine our crude oil? Recall that during the electioneering in 2015, one of the promises of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress(APC) was to build a new refinery each year. What has happened to this promise after five years in office? Has the construction of a refinery become a rocket science?
Government should consider the human factor in coming up with economic policies.