New fuel price compounding Nigeria’s hardship – Ozobo tells Tinubu

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The President of the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI), Comrade Ozobo Austin, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to address the current fuel price hike and scarcity, warning that the situation is exacerbating the already dire economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

In a statement, Ozobo emphasised that the recent increase in fuel prices has led to a surge in the cost of living, causing untold suffering for the majority of Nigerians. He stressed that the scarcity of fuel had also resulted in long queues at filling stations, causing inconvenience and wasting valuable time for citizens.

Ozobo pointed out that the fuel price hike and scarcity are compounding the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, who are already struggling to cope with the rising cost of food, housing, and other essential commodities. He warned that if the situation is not addressed promptly, it could lead to social unrest and further exacerbate the country’s economic woes.

The IPDI President called on President Tinubu to take decisive action to address the fuel price hike and scarcity, including investigating the causes of the fuel scarcity and taking steps to address them, implementing measures to reduce the cost of fuel and make it more affordable for Nigerians and Providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the fuel price hike on vulnerable citizens.

Ozobo emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that citizens have access to basic necessities like fuel, and that the current situation is a clear indication of the government’s failure to fulfill this responsibility.

He concluded by urging President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the fuel price hike and scarcity, and to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians in his policy decisions.