The CNG asked the duo to explain the measures being taken to end the scarcity of premium motor spirit (PMS)    and ensure that fuel is available to citizens at affordable prices.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has demanded an explanation from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the GMD of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) regarding the current fuel scarcity.

The CNG asked the duo to explain the measures being taken to end the scarcity of premium motor spirit (PMS)    and ensure that fuel is available to citizens at affordable prices

CNG National Coordinator, Com. Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in a statement signed on Monday, described the explanations given by marketers and explanations from the NNPLC are flawed and untenable as there are no fundamental disruptions in the system that can warrant the current predicament

CNG asserted that the executive and legislative arms need to understand the implications of fuel scarcity on national security and the economy.

It tasked the Presidency and the National Assembly to work together to swiftly address the lingering fuel scarcity crisis and the recent rooftop electricity tariff in Nigeria as posterity would judge them in the end. 

The statement reads in part, “The CNG noted that it is deeply concerned about the persistent and debilitating fuel scarcity that has plagued Nigeria recently, causing untold hardship to citizens across the country.

“We are outraged at the failure of the relevant authorities to address this critical issue that directly affects millions of ordinary Nigerians, resulting in long queues at fuel stations, hike in transportation costs, and untold suffering for millions of law-abiding Nigerians.

“The CNG is dismayed that despite the assurances from the NNPCL, the fuel scarcity has continued to worsen selling above N1000 per liter, leading to skyrocketing prices of goods and services.

“We are worried that if this situation is not addressed urgently, it could lead to further impoverishment and destitution of the already dejected Nigerians; thus, the CNG demands that the Executive and the Legislative arms need to understand the implications of fuel scarcity on national security and the economy

President Bola Tinubu must engage with NNPLC and marketers to pursue an immediate and comprehensive solution to this artificially-created fuel scarcity as a ploy by unscrupulous elements in the system to sabotage it and ooze out the remnant of good life from ordinary Nigerians. The CNG argues that excuses from the Marketers and explanations from the NNPLC are flawed and untenable as there are no fundamental disruptions in the system that can warrant current predicament.

“The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the GMD of the NNPLC must explain measures being taken to end the fuel scarcity and ensure that fuel is available to citizens at affordable prices.

“The CNG urges the Federal Government and the National Assembly to take this matter seriously and act with urgency to address the situation as it has the potential to erode lives and livelihoods if left unchecked.

“We warn that if the issue is not decisively dealt with, Nigerians will continue to view them as monstrous and wicked people that are after their personal aggrandizement to the detriment of unsuspecting Nigerians

Nigerians may not continue to endure more sufferings due to the incompetence and corruption of a few individuals without due regards to their human dignity and minimum means of economic survival with a fickle prosperity.”

Similarly, the CNG said it was alarmed by the perennial electricity blackout and recent electricity tariff despite the economic hardship.

It said, “The CNG rejects the outrageous increment imposed on Nigerians which has further exacerbated the already dire living conditions of the people.

“The recent raise, which has increased the cost of electricity by over 200%, is not only discriminatory but also insensitive to the plight of the poor and working-class Nigerians through exploitations by the power sector operators.

“We challenge the leaders to prove their concern and compassion to the masses through leveraging on their power and influence to bring succor to Nigerians.

The CNG is of the view that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) must deploy some of the strategies they deployed in addressing the forex crisis to get rid of some saboteurs in the petroleum and power sectors to permanently nip the fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply in the bud.

“We are therefore compelled to counsel President Tinubu to take result-oriented actions to put a halt to the dual devastating exploitations through artificial fuel scarcity and inhumane electricity tariff increment by a select few that must be held accountable.”