Pump price increase: APC begs for understanding

The All Progressives Con­gress (APC), yesterday urged Nigerians to un­derstand the current position of the Federal Government in its recent decision to increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), from N86.50 to N145 per litre.

National chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said yesterday at the APC secretariat in Abuja that in as much as the party can admit that Nigerians deserve a sub­sidy on its natural resources, the subsidy removal from the oil sector has become impor­tant to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians who never benefit­ed from it.

Oyegun regretted that rather than benefiting from the oil subsidy, the measure has caused more harm to Nigeri­ans, blaming the oil marketers of involving in certain activi­ties that have turned the sup­posed subsidy to suffering for Nigerians due to long queues at petrol stations.

The APC national chair­man who assured that the in­crease would not be perma­nent noted that the Federal Government would, through the necessary agencies, moni­tor the progress of the new law and ensure that the refineries are fixed to facilitate a down­ward review of the price with­in a short period of time.

Oyegun who did not hide his feelings for the suffering Nigerians are going through admitted that the develop­ment would further lead to a resultant increase in the pric­es of goods and services in the country, noting however that it could free the economy for the benefit of Nigerians.