Emmanuel OchayiA human rights organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), has sounded a warning to the Federal Government regarding purported plans to increase electricity tariffs and fuel prices to N1200 per litre.
The group cautioned that such actions might lead to social instability and unrest within the country.
Expressing concerns over the denials issued by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), CHRICED emphasized that the contentious discussions surrounding these alleged plans reflect the broader failures of economic policies under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
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Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahii, the Executive Director of CHRICED, conveyed the organisation’s dismay, stating, “The government’s policies are leading to adverse outcomes, burdening the citizens further. Continuing on this path could result in significant social instability.”
Highlighting the root cause, Zikirullahii pointed to the weakened Naira against the US Dollar, exacerbated by the government’s decision to “float” the national currency, leading to a nearly 51% depreciation.
He stressed that this decline directly influences the soaring prices of essential commodities like fuel, affecting the already impoverished populace.
Moreover, the organization called for a reconsideration of economic policies, urging the government to align with constitutional mandates emphasizing social justice, equality, and the maximum welfare of citizens.
Zikirullahii underscored, “The government must prioritize citizens’ well-being, rather than relying on failed economic strategies.”
Amid the government’s emphasis on revenue generation, CHRICED criticized the administration for allegedly disregarding the citizens’ plight and advocated a shift away from policies imposing additional hardships.
Furthermore, Zikirullahii lamented the disparity between the citizens’ economic struggles and the government’s seeming detachment, emphasizing that Tinubu’s budgetary approvals might not provide a viable solution to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, with a portion likely diverted towards bureaucratic expenses and political agendas.
The human rights group’s stance underlines a growing sentiment of discontent and apprehension among Nigerians regarding the potential ramifications of economic policies on their livelihoods, urging the government to prioritize the populace’s welfare and reconsider its current strategies.
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