•As group threatens legal offensive, call for reversal of unlawful petrol price hike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Sunday asked to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to immediately reverse the illegal and unconstitutional increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.
The request came from a Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which further called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL, including the spending of the reported $300 million ‘bailout funds collected from the Federal Government (FG) in August 2024, and the $6 billion debt it owes suppliers, despite allegedly failing to remit oil revenues to the treasury.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the human rights group argued that “Suspected perpetrators of alleged corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.”
Referring to its open letter dated September 7, 2024, SERAP stated that the increase in petrol price constitutes a fundamental breach of constitutional guarantees and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
The group, which insisted that Nigerians have for far too long been denied justice and the opportunity to get to the bottom of why they continue to pay the price for corruption in the oil sector, added that “Rather than pursuing public policies to address the growing poverty and inequality in the country and holding the NNPCL to account for the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector, your government seems to be punishing the poor.
“The increase in petrol price has rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum survival needs.
“The increase is not inevitable, as it stems from the persistent failure of successive governments to address allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and the impunity of suspected perpetrators.
“Corruption in the oil sector and the lack of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds to support the operations of the NNPCL have resulted in persistent and unlawful hikes in petrol prices.
“Holding the NNPCL to account for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector would serve legitimate public interests.
“The increase is causing immense hardship to those less well-off. We are concerned that as the economic situation in Nigeria deteriorates, the increase in petrol price is pushing people further into poverty.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
All rights reserved. This material and other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of THE NEWS ACCELERATOR NETWORK.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage or press releases, contact thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com or 08051017159.
Post a Comment