Fuel Rise: Stop Doing Dirty Politics With Subsidy Removal, Group Tells CUPP
A leading civil society group, the Network for Transparency and Good Governance (NTGG) has chastised the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) for trying to play politics with the emotions of Nigerians and playing in the gutters over the recent removal of fuel subsidies which led to the temporary hike in petrol prices at the pump.
The CUPP, a political opposition group led by disgruntled members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged that the removal of fuel subsidies was a scam to cage Nigerians and is calling for the removal of Mr. Mele Kyari, the group's Managing Director, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
But, NTGG, in a statement co-signed by its National Coordinator, Friday Imoni, and National Secretary, Gana Alkali, said on Thursday that normally it would have ignored the CUPP-PDP for announcing "their lack of vision and empathy for Nigerians in these difficult times they have brought upon the nation, but because of innocent Nigerians who may not be aware of the current situation, it has decided to respond.
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According to the statement: "We have read with dismay a misleading, sickening and harmful statement attributed to the bankrupt and disgruntled Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), led and sponsored by members of the troubled and corrupt People's Democratic Party (PDP), calling for the removal of Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following the recent removal of subsidies
“It is a statement of fact that the CUPP has an unenviable mandate to try to intimidate and blackmail important state institutions such as the NNPCL, INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, on behalf of the PDP in hopes of gaining political advantage after being rejected by the majority of the population.
"As the current administration grapples with our national challenges and at this time, we should all be focused on nation-building issues, but the best that PDP and its cronies offer is a distraction.
“The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria is an economic necessity, as subsidy funds could lead to major development gains. With the right structure, such as the building of good infrastructure and an enabling environment for investors, the removal of subsidies is a blessing that the economy needs at this time.
"For example, the amount paid out on subsidies from 2005 to 2021 equals the entire budget for health, education, agriculture, and defense over the past five years. electricity, security, job creation, development of the downstream sector, improving our GDP growth, cracking down on product theft, pipeline vandalism, environmental pollution, foreign exchange shortages and providing basic benefits to Nigerians.
"It is laughable, however, that the self-interests and frustrations of CUPP proponents clouded their reasoning.
“The recent adjustment of the fuel pump price from 537 naira to 617 naira per liter was the result of forces determined by exchange rate fluctuations induced by international market forces.
While appealing for continued support and appealing to Nigerians for the temporary hardships of the initiative, the group said, "Instead of the PDP and its minions joining the current administration to save the economy, they have, on behalf of the opposition, continued to distract the government and Nigerians with their post-election ravings, salacious fictions, divisiveness in government circles and false allegations against the NNPCL and its leadership. .
"It should be noted that NNPCL under the leadership of Mr. Kyari has witnessed a massive transformation all around. The head of NNPCL has worked tirelessly to promote transparency, accountability and good governance in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
"The oil giant has become a for-profit company because of its culture of accountability, transparency and innovation.
"Perhaps we should remind the CUPP that Kyari was a strong advocate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry (PIB) Bill, a comprehensive reform package aimed at overhauling the regulatory framework for the industry...
A leading civil society group, the Network for Transparency and Good Governance (NTGG) has chastised the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) for trying to play politics with the emotions of Nigerians and playing in the gutters over the recent removal of fuel subsidies which led to the temporary hike in petrol prices at the pump.
The CUPP, a political opposition group led by disgruntled members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), had alleged that the removal of fuel subsidies was a scam to cage Nigerians and is calling for the removal of Mr. Mele Kyari, the group's Managing Director, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
But, NTGG, in a statement co-signed by its National Coordinator, Friday Imoni, and National Secretary, Gana Alkali, said on Thursday that normally it would have ignored the CUPP-PDP for announcing "their lack of vision and empathy for Nigerians in these difficult times they have brought upon the nation, but because of innocent Nigerians who may not be aware of the current situation, it has decided to respond.
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According to the statement: "We have read with dismay a misleading, sickening and harmful statement attributed to the bankrupt and disgruntled Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), led and sponsored by members of the troubled and corrupt People's Democratic Party (PDP), calling for the removal of Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, GCEO, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following the recent removal of subsidies
“It is a statement of fact that the CUPP has an unenviable mandate to try to intimidate and blackmail important state institutions such as the NNPCL, INEC, the judiciary and security agencies, on behalf of the PDP in hopes of gaining political advantage after being rejected by the majority of the population.
"As the current administration grapples with our national challenges and at this time, we should all be focused on nation-building issues, but the best that PDP and its cronies offer is a distraction.
“The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria is an economic necessity, as subsidy funds could lead to major development gains. With the right structure, such as the building of good infrastructure and an enabling environment for investors, the removal of subsidies is a blessing that the economy needs at this time.
"For example, the amount paid out on subsidies from 2005 to 2021 equals the entire budget for health, education, agriculture, and defense over the past five years. electricity, security, job creation, development of the downstream sector, improving our GDP growth, cracking down on product theft, pipeline vandalism, environmental pollution, foreign exchange shortages and providing basic benefits to Nigerians.
"It is laughable, however, that the self-interests and frustrations of CUPP proponents clouded their reasoning.
“The recent adjustment of the fuel pump price from 537 naira to 617 naira per liter was the result of forces determined by exchange rate fluctuations induced by international market forces.
While appealing for continued support and appealing to Nigerians for the temporary hardships of the initiative, the group said, "Instead of the PDP and its minions joining the current administration to save the economy, they have, on behalf of the opposition, continued to distract the government and Nigerians with their post-election ravings, salacious fictions, divisiveness in government circles and false allegations against the NNPCL and its leadership. .
"It should be noted that NNPCL under the leadership of Mr. Kyari has witnessed a massive transformation all around. The head of NNPCL has worked tirelessly to promote transparency, accountability and good governance in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
"The oil giant has become a for-profit company because of its culture of accountability, transparency and innovation.
"Perhaps we should remind the CUPP that Kyari was a strong advocate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry (PIB) Bill, a comprehensive reform package aimed at overhauling the regulatory framework for the industry...
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