Northern Broadcasters Decry Escalating Hardship On Nigerians Due To Fuel Price Increase

***Urge President Tinubu To Urgently Address The Nation’s Social Upheavals By Demonstrating Good Governance

By Miriam Humbe

The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum (ABMPF) has expressed deep concern over the escalating hardship faced by Nigerians due to the hike in petroleum products and the skyrocketing costs of goods and services.

ABMPF expressed this concern in a statement signed on Friday by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa.

The broadcasters regretted that the economic meltdown has brought untold suffering to ordinary citizens and workers.

Here’s a full text of the statement:

“We urge the government to allow Dangote Refinery to operate independently, determining petroleum prices without interference from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“This will promote competition and stabilize the market.

“Furthermore, we condemn the rising insecurity in the North and Central regions, where banditry and kidnapping have ravaged agrarian communities.

“The resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe states is equally alarming.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address these social upheavals by demonstrating good governance.

“We demand:
– Immediate reduction in the cost of governance and immediate stop to the envisage 10% hike on Value Added Tax ( VAT)
– Reversal with immediate effects the recently increased pump price of petroleum products
– Cuts all flamboyant and reckless spending by government officials and the Legislature, particularly, Senators and Members of the National Assembly.
– Tangible solutions to the economic and security crises
– Taking the war to the door steps of terrorists in the North and Central parts of Nigeria and the liberation of agrarian communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger States from the shackles of terrorists and kidnappings.

“The welfare of Nigerians, particularly the ordinary citizens and workers, must be prioritized.

“We urge the governments at all levels to take decisive action to alleviate their suffering.”