Implement workable palliatives on petrol price, lawyer urges FG

Abuja-based legal practitioner and human rights activist, Dr. Kayode Ajulo has called on the Petroleum Products and Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA to reactivate the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF scheme to enable the people of Nigerians buy the Premium Motor Spirits, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, at lower price.

Ajulo, a former Labour Party scribe particularly urged the federal government to look at the option of introducing palliatives that can help mitigate the cost of living of vulnerable segments of the society in the country.

The lawyer, who spoke with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, however, believed that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration possesses the strong political will, human face and integrity to implement such palliatives and advised it to do so without further delay.

“Meanwhile, at a time like this, I will like to encourage the government to urgently put in place a robust regulatory mechanism to insulate Nigerians from the fluctuation in international crude and products prices, and stabilise domestic, industrial and commercial utilization of petroleum products by reducing the price of the petroleum products especially that of PMS.

“I say this with all sense of responsibility because it is the most necessary, important and needful thing to do, judging from the current economic situation most households are confronted with in the country as a result of leadership failure and neglect occasioned by previous administrations.

“With this proposed pocket friendly-palliative, I have no doubt that the macro-economic challenges confronting the country and other major economic setbacks debilitating our economy will be drastically reduced and this should also be done in a manner that targeted beneficiaries will not be eluded.

“I hold this government in high esteem and so the citizenry, therefore they are expected to review what they currently call, Appropriate Pricing Framework (APF)”, he stressed.

Ajulo, however, reprimanded the factional National President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Mr. Chinedu Okworonkwo, who he said is not recognized by law as the association’s leader to order the downward review of petrol price.

Okworonkwo had last Sunday issued a statement and directed its members nationwide to reduce petroleum pump price from N145 per litre to N140, an order which is yet to be implemented anywhere in the country.

“Honestly, I laugh when certain individuals talk in public to score cheap political points without recourse to decorum, rule of law, decency or moral standards. Mr. Chinedu Okworonkwo is not recognised according to the position of the law as the association’s president.

“The last time I checked, Supreme Court clearly upheld Alhaji Sanusi Abdu Fari, as the new National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) following the judgment delivered by five Justices of the Supreme Court including: Musa Datijo Muhammad, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs, Kudirat Motomori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, Chima Centus Nweze, Ejembi Eko in suit no. SC/15/2018 which affirmed the judgment delivered by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/12/2014, on the 20th of March, 2014.

“This, as a matter of fact does not in any way require further judicial interpretation”, Ajulo stressed.

The lawyer, nevertheless, said the suggested N140 per little pump price is not tenable as it would lead to scarcity.