The People’s Alternative Movement (PAM) South-South Zone and other various civil society and faith-based groups have taken to streets in Benin City to protest the federal government’s proposed fuel subsidy removal, hike in electricity tariffs and imposition of tax on soft drinks.
Recall that, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had announced last October that the federal government made provision for petrol subsidy only for the first six months of 2022, as the government looked towards complete deregulation of the sector.
The South-South Coordinator of PAM, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, said “the protest will continue until the president, Muhammadu Buhari who is also the minister of petroleum reverse the hikes in petroleum products, electricity tariffs and imposition of tax on soft drinks. He must demonstrates sincere commitment to the welfare of average Nigerians”.
Speaking further, Dr. Obayuwana lamented that while the hardship meted on average Nigerians by successive governments has become unbearable, the Buhari’s government continue to service the interest of the few at the expense of the masses.
“Buhari as the president and minister of petroleum has allowed his few local and international friends to profit maximally from what our country is blessed with.
“we the Nigerian people protested against this in 2012. Buhari asked for our votes in 2014, and made all kinds of promises which he has refused to keep.
We cannot and must not allow this to continue at the expense of our lives and those of our children, our today and our tomorrow” He said.
The protesters carried various banners with inscriptions such as: “reverse hikes before palliatives, End poverty in Nigeria, say no to electricity tariff among others.
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