Barely 12hrs after the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima as the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, endless queues have started resurfacing in many parts of the country, and this could be traced to the new president’s inaugural speech, which clearly stated that fuel subsidy is gone.
In lieu of this, several reactions has been flying across the country as many filling stations are reportedly shut by owners while others selling the PMS are selling at unbelievable prices.
Reacting on Twitter @letter_to_jack “Some of you are already blaming Nigerians and Greed for what’s happening with Petrol retailers.
He communicated that the fuel subsidy is gone, but there’s been no further communication on the date the full removal will go into effect and the new price range. Chaos will ensue.”
Also @DanielRegha “It’s been less than 12 hrs Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, but most filling stations have started increasing prices; Some have stopped selling, & are waiting for scarcity to start so they can make excess profit. We Nigerians are our own problem, we’re too greedy.” In his reaction as well, @Drpenking “The Fuel Subsidy removal will mean higher prizes of petroleum products which in turn will mean higher prices of everything. Of course, salaries won’t change. When I said it’s another 8 years a slave you called me a hater but watch out. Thank God for social media. We stay in touch”.
In another view, @peter_pentane stated that, “It is very unfortunate for any petrol filling station owner to create more sufferings for Nigerians simply because the new government pronounced ‘fuel subsidy is gone’. They are part of the enemies of Nigeria.”.
Meanwhile, NNPCL while responding to this new release by the President in an emergency press conference at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, NNPCL told Nigerians that the move was in the company’s best interest.
According to the GCEO of the company, Mele Kyari, the company has been spending a substantial amount of its profits on the subsidy of the product, Kyari, however, said there was no need for panic buying as fuel queues had been noticed in some areas of the FCT.
He noted that the company had enough product to supply the country for the next 30 days, adding that it was monitoring its supply and distribution networks around the country.
In the same vein, The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) rejected the Monday announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on fuel subsidy removal.
IPMAN National Public Relations Officer, Chinedu Ukadike, said the association does not support the removal of fuel subsidy at this time.
He said the refineries in the country should be fixed before taking such a decision that will cause galloping inflation and inflict more hardship on the masses.
In Lagos, this morning, prices of commercial buses have been jacked up and commuters are stranded because there are few vehicles on the road, for instance, the usual N200, Asides this, the few gas stations dispensing fuel has led to gridlock and this has heightened the plight of those with who could still manage to drive today.
It would be recalled that Nigerians protested the removal of fuel subsidy in 2012 during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The protests began after the announcement of the removal of the fuel subsidy on 1 January and ended on 16 January after it was partially reinstated.
