The Nigeria Union of Journalists says it’s alarmed at the just-announced increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit to N617 per litre in Abuja and N568 in Lagos respectively.
In a press statement signed by the National Secretary Shuaibu Leman, on Tuesday and titled ‘Stop the ugly drift’, the union lamented the harrowing challenges residents are faced with.
The statement partly read, “This development has already triggered astronomical increases in transportation costs, with prices of food items soaring almost beyond the reach of many citizens, even as users of generators to power their homes are already groaning uncontrollably under the present situation.”
While applauding the decision to remove the costly subsidies on fuel, the union cautioned the Federal Government to progress in order, “however we had cautioned against a hasty implementation of the policy without putting mitigating measures in place to cushion the excruciating effects.
“We are saddened by the fact that today most people can hardly commute to work or other places of business without too much stress because the embarrassing sudden surge in petrol prices has made it so,” he said.
The statement added, “We believe that this sudden decision is an overkill and we urge that the situation should be reversed immediately while adequate measures are considered and put in place to lessen the effects on ordinary Nigerians.”
