Civil society groups will picket stations selling fuel above government-approved prices in response to IPMAN‘s plan to raise the pump price of premium motor spirit to N700 per litre. The coalition considers this act pure mischief and sabotage, especially as Nigerians are still recovering from the price increment on May 29, 2023.
The coalition will shut down any station selling fuel above the approved price of N448 per litre. In a statement, the coalition accused IPMAN of operating a parallel government. The Coalition plans to mobilise members and stakeholders nationwide for a protest aimed at shutting down filling stations. They believe Nigerians should not be forced to endure a life of indignity imposed by the IPMAN.
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Some groups, including the Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group, the Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development (CED), and others, urged the government to take action against IPMAN. They pointed out that Nigerians were already struggling with the increased fuel pump price and demanded immediate relief. The groups emphasised that IPMAN lacked the authority to set fuel prices and warned that any attempt to do so would be met with resistance, including widespread protests.
As a Coalition of Civil Society organisations, we strongly oppose the proposed fuel pump hike to N700 per litre by IPMAN. If the government fails to intervene, it would be seen as deliberate collusion to harm Nigerians. We, as CSOs, will not stand idly by. We will mobilise Nigerians for a street protest against the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This action is not in the best interest of the citizens. The coalition claimed that the proposed pump price increase would be over 451% higher than what the Tinubu administration has inherited, easing concerns of hyperinflation in the nation. They attributed the sudden drop in petrol consumption from 66 million to 40 million when the fuel subsidy was removed to IPMAN. They advised the marketers association to adapt to the changed situation and stop engaging in dishonest practises in the downstream sector.
