The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to N1,030 per litre. The sharp rise, announced on Wednesday, is expected to further exacerbate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, particularly those already struggling to make ends meet.
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In a statement issued by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association expressed grave concern over the cascading effect of fuel price increases on virtually every aspect of daily life in Nigeria. “The costs of living, transportation, food, and other goods and services which have been on the continuous rise will become even more unaffordable,” Osigwe said.
This is not the first time the NBA has spoken out against fuel price hikes. On November 4, 2024, the association issued a statement strongly opposing the increase from N617 to N900 per litre, highlighting the severe financial strain this imposed on the average Nigerian household. The latest increase, according to the NBA, only compounds these difficulties.
The NBA president criticized the government’s decision-making process, citing a lack of transparent consultation or dialogue with relevant stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector. “The government’s seeming disregard for the suffering of the people is troubling. Nigerians deserve better— they deserve a government that prioritizes their well-being and takes into account the real-world implications of its policies on the populace,” Osigwe stated.
The association called on the government to immediately reverse the increase and urgently implement measures to cushion the effect of rising fuel prices. These measures include investment in local refining capacity, public transportation, reduced taxation of low-income earners, repair of public roads, improved security for farmers, transparent fuel pricing mechanisms, and broader economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and providing sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
Osigwe reiterated the NBA’s commitment to advocating for policies that promote justice, fairness, and equity for all Nigerians, emphasizing that the government must prioritize the welfare of the people and ensure that economic policies do not deepen poverty or further marginalize the most vulnerable in society.
The recent fuel price hike has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, with many taking to social media to express their frustration and demand government action. The NBA’s statement adds to the growing chorus of voices calling for a more people-centered approach to economic policy-making in Nigeria.
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