Hardship: Group Demands Immediate Reversal of Fuel Price Hike

The Forum of South-East Academic Doctors (FOSAD) expresses profound distress over the recent increase in fuel price to almost N1000 per litre, which has exacerbated the already challenging economic conditions faced by millions of Nigerians. The sudden and steep hike in the cost of petrol has triggered widespread hardship, pushing many citizens further into poverty and creating additional strain on businesses and households across the country.

The timing of this price increase could not be more detrimental, as Nigerians are still grappling with the economic fallout from fuel subsidy removal, rising inflation, and the ongoing challenges posed by unemployment and underemployment. The decision to raise fuel prices at this critical juncture is not only insensitive but also counterproductive to the government’s stated goals of economic recovery and poverty alleviation even when the national minimum wage increase is yet to be implemented by both state and federal government.

In a release jointly signed by
Dr Stephen Nwala, President, FOSAD and Dr Uzor Ngoladi Secretary General, FOSAD, the group urges the Federal Government to take immediate steps to reverse the fuel price hike and explore alternative measures to address the economic challenges facing the nation. It is imperative that the government prioritizes the welfare of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by such policies.

We call on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including labor unions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to develop a more sustainable approach to managing the nation’s resources and ensuring energy affordability. Additionally, FOSAD advocates for greater transparency in the pricing mechanisms of fuel products and a comprehensive review of the subsidy regime to ensure that any policy changes are equitable and do not impose undue hardship on the populace.

Nigerians deserve a government that listens to their concerns and acts in their best interest. The current fuel price hike only serves to deepen the economic woes of the people and threatens to destabilize the social fabric of the nation. FOSAD stands in solidarity with all Nigerians affected by this decision and demands swift action to reverse the fuel price increase and alleviate the suffering of the masses.