The Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) has observed concernedly that at a time when leaders across the world do everything within their power to alleviate the hardships caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on their citizens, Nigerians are being burdened with increase within the prices of utilities.
In a statement signed by Victor Anya, general secretary of the association, GPAAN condemned the recent increase within the price of petrol from N143 to N151: 52.
“Recall, towards the top of August, the worth of electricity was hiked from N22 per kilowatt to N66 per kilowatt and Nigerians haven't recovered from the shock caused by that increase; that of fuel was added thereto within an area of 1 week,” it noted.
GPAAN, led by Ayo Baje as national president, also recalled that “In November 2019, Value Added Tax (VAT) was raised from 5percent to 7.5percent and within the same month, VAT was also placed on telephone communication. These burdens are an excessive amount of on the standard Nigerians and that they must stop.”
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The group acknowledged that Nigeria appeared different from other parts of the planet ,asking them not to pay house rent for a period of time and also giving allowances to people who have lost their jobs thanks to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Governments of some countries are giving grants to small business owners so as for them to stay in business. In some countries, governments are paying the salaries of employees of massive corporations in order that such corporations don't retrench their employees- beat a bid to mitigate the pains brought on them by the coronavirus.”
It also reiterated the very fact that as coronavirus may be a global problem that affects all citizens of the planet , if leaders of other countries deem it fit support their citizens, the case of Nigeria shouldn't vary .
“In this regard, we turn the federal of Nigeria to revert to the old prices of petrol and electricity- N143 per litre and N22 per kilowatt, respectively,” it said.
Furthermore, the group stated: "President Muhammadu Buhari should endeavor to repair the existing four refineries and also create an additional two refineries to enrich them in order to put an end to imports of refined petroleum products."
“It may be a known incontrovertible fact that the rationale for the incessant increase within the prices of refined petroleum products is because we aren't refining our petroleum but depend upon importation of those products. Why is it so difficult for us to refine our crude oil?”
It also recalled that in the electioneering in 2015, one among the guarantees of President Buhari and therefore the All Progressives Congress (APC) was to create a replacement refinery annually .
“What went on to the present promise after five years in office? Has the development of a refinery become a rocket science? Government should consider the human think about arising with economic policies,” GPAAN said..licies,” GPAAN said..
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