Collins Nnabuife
The Allied Conservative Congress (ACC) has condemned the recent hike in fuel prices and described it as outrageous, insensitive and ill-conceived.
In a statement signed by ACC National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters, the party said it is obvious that an increase in fuel price will impose more hardship on citizens, worsen their plights and further stagnate the economy.
“It is curious that the Federal Government would contemplate a fuel price hike soon after the #EndHungerProtest#, as if the welfare of the people does not matter as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Governments at all levels are obliged to deliver fruits and dividends of democracy not hardship, hunger and carnage”, ACC said.
According to the party, Nigerians voted for a fair deal and better life, not deprivation, destitution and poverty.
The ACC National Chairman further stated that the government exists to articulate and implement people-oriented policies, programmes and projects that will boost citizens’ standards of living, not to impoverish and frustrate them.
ACC noted that Nigerians are resilient, resourceful and industrious, and they should be encouraged, motivated and provided with an enabling environment to maximise their potential and contribute to nation-building.
“Accordingly, ACC demands the immediate reversal of the fuel hike from ₦880 and above to ₦617. Federal Government had assured Nigerians of lower fuel price when the last increase was imposed on them, stating that more supplies of petroleum products would bring down the prices.
“Today, the reverse is the case due to lack of political will to sanitise the oil sector of corruption and incompetence. Nigerians have suffered enough, there is no need to impose more hardship on them for any reason or for no reason whatsoever.
“ACC urges the Federal Government to approve licence to qualify Nigerians to build private refineries and remove all the bottlenecks in so doing.
“It is time to end hardship in the country through conservative governance. Nigerians desire and deserve compassionate leaders with the milk of human kindness”, the statement added.
