Fayose: FG planning to increase fuel price to N185… scarcity is deliberate

Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti state governor, has alleged that the federal government is deliberately hoarding premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly called fuel, in a plot to increase pump price from N145 to N185 per litre.

In a statement by Lere Olayinka, his spokesman, Fayose accused the government of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.

He asked why the government chose the yuletide season to make the product scarce, knowing fully well that many people will be travelling.

“Petrol is scarce across the country because the federal government deliberately reduced supply since it is only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that is importing the product and the result is the scarcity being experienced now,” Fayose said.

“The thinking is that by the time the scarcity persists for like one month, with Nigerians already buying at N200 per litre, the people will jump at it if petrol is increased from N145 to N185 per litre.

“Allowing fuel scarcity to persist for over two weeks when Nigerians are preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year is the height of wickedness on the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.

“Funny enough, instead of directing its anger to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Minister of Petroleum, on December 7, 2017, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) choose to give the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu seven days ultimatum to end the fuel scarcity.

“Today is December 17, exactly ten days after the misplaced ultimatum was given, the situation has even gotten worse.

“By the time the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) goes on strike as being threatened, the whole country will be shut down and one wonders what will become of Nigerians that desire to move around during the festive season.

“This time, Nigerians will resist any attempt to further impoverish them by increasing the pump price of petrol.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has, however, said there was no plan to increase fuel price.