Civil society groups have pledged to protest if IPMAN succeeds in raising petrol pump prices to N700/litre. The coalition of civil society groups includes all civil society organisations across the country. The pledge is in reaction to the planned increase in fuel prices from the government-approved N538/litre to N700. They claim that the move was pure mischief and sabotage. According to them, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association(IPMAN) lacks authority to change pricing, and any such action will be opposed. Especially as Nigerians are still trying to recover from the “price shock” caused by the increase on May 29, 2023.
To emphasise their rage, they vowed that filling stations selling petrol at prices higher than 538/litre would be picketed. This was contained in a joint statement released on behalf of the coalition. It was released by the convener, Dr Basil Yelwa Musa, the co-convener, Malam Haruna Maigida, and Ayo Temi Adebayo, among others.
The group stated that it will mobilise its members and other stakeholders across the 36 states of the federation. They intend to commence a protest on Monday, July 3, 2023. The coalition is made up of these groups amongst others;
- Oil and Gas Transparency and Advocacy Group
- The Civil Society Coalition for Economic Development
- The Centre for Citizens’ Rights
- The Centre for Good Governance Advocacy
- Action Against Corruption in Nigeria
The group called on the government to summon IPMAN, emphasising that Nigerians are already witnessing and languishing in misery as a result of the newly changed petrol pump price, with no palliative measures in place.
In their statement they further emphasized the role of IPMAN and how it shouldn’t be involved in petrol pricing.
cc: Daily Post Ng
