The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has called on the Federal Government to compel petroleum marketers to reduce fuel prices, arguing there is “no basis” to keep petrol above N1,000 per litre now that global oil prices have dropped to pre-war levels.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, the group said the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States has eased tensions in the Gulf Region and led to a fall in international oil prices.
“The America/Israel against Iran war that forced the prices of the petroleum products up has subsided following ceasefire agreement between Iran and America hence, there is no basis for petroleum marketers in Nigeria to keep the price of Premium Motor Spirit in particular to above N1000 per litre,” the statement read.
The group described the continued high pump prices as “highly insensitive and inhuman,” and accused marketers of economic sabotage against Nigerians. It said petrol and diesel, which directly affect the cost of living, must be forced down to below N1,000 per litre.
MMWG noted that religious bodies had intensified prayers for an end to the Gulf conflict over the past year.
“How could the prayers be answered and some shylocks would still continue to prolong the hardship of our people?” it queried.
It added that reports show other countries affected by the war are already enjoying reduced fuel costs, wondering why such is yet to happen in Nigeria.
To ease hardship, the group urged the Federal Government to order marketers to revert to the “pre-war price of N700 per litre of petrol.”
It also called on the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission, FCCPC, under the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, to intervene without delay.
“It must be stated that Nigeria’s economic hardship on the people would continue if the petroleum marketers are allowed to indiscriminately hike prices of petroleum products without check,” the group warned.
The Muslim media organisation commended the Dangote Group for leading petroleum refining reforms and efforts to ensure fair pricing. However, it urged the company to “champion the cause of forcing the prices of the commodity down to relieve Nigerians of serious hardship being faced presently”.
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