Hike in Fuel Price and Electricity Tariff in Interest of Nigerians, APC Replies PDP

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has said recent hike in the price of fuel and electricity tariff by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration were in the interest of Nigerians.

Reacting to a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which described the latest hikes as wickedness, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena, said the it reflected reality and supported by Nigerians.

“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a shameless statement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the current petrol price and electricity tariff in the country.

“For successive PDP governments that foisted on the country a corruption-tainted fuel subsidy regime, we call on the PDP to surprise itself and indeed Nigerians by cajoling its cronies who ran the subsidy rackets – many of them in hiding abroad – to return our stolen commonwealth in their possession.

“Under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the tortuous fuel queues as a result of biting scarcities are gone. The reviewed petroleum products pricing template has resulted in a more transparent, efficient and realistic pricing system for petroleum products and also resulted in constant availability of fuel nationwide.

“The pricing template now reflects competitive and market driven components which is supported by the citizenry” the party said.

“In an effort by this administration to put an end to estimated and arbitrary billing for electricity, President Buhari recently directed a nationwide mass metering programme for electricity consumers in the country.

“For the PDP that is only concerned with pushing the interests of its few cronies over the general interest and welfare of the citizenry, we don’t expect the PDP to grasp the import of this landmark presidential directive which aside improving electricity and service delivery, is also protecting the poor and vulnerable Nigerians from increased electricity tariff and arbitrary/estimated billings.

“Commendably, the federal government is already working to ensure that electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) commit to increasing the number of hours of electricity supply every day and also improve on their quality of service” it added.