An association of civil society groups had on Friday, June 30 pledged to mobilize Nigerians to the streets if the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, hiked the fuel pump price to N700 per litre.
The association, comprising of all civil society organisations, CSOs, in the country had released a statement condemning the planned development and describing it as ‘sabotage’ and ‘pure mischief’.
In an attempt to fully communicate their anger, the association had declared that fueling stations that sell petrol above the government-approved price would be cordoned off. In the meantime however, the association would would mobilise its members and stakeholders nationwide to embark on a protest that would commence on Monday, July 3, 2023.
The CSOs include: Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group, Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development, Centre for Citizens Rights, Centre for Good Governance Advocacy, and Action Against Corruption in Nigeria, among others.
The CSOs have reiterated that IPMAN had no statutory power to modify fuel pump prices, therefore it would be meeting with resistance from the association. Oil marketers are to note that the its fast practices will no longer be condoned.
Its been said that the IPMAN had been the brain-box behind the mysterious drop in petrol consumption from 66 million liters per day to about 40 million after the removal of fuel subsidy.
If the report is correct, then the petrol group ought to to be investigated.
Nigerians are already finding it difficult to adjust owing to recently adjusted fuel pump price and as of the time of filing this report, there are no palliative measures put out to cushion the effects of this.
