16th January, 2012
Senate leader, Senator David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwa, have been urged to abide by their resolutions that the price of petrol be reverted to N65 per litre in the interest of Nigerians.
Dauda Kako Are, a second term member of the House of Representatives, representing Mushin constituency 01, made this call during a press conference.
He urged the leadership of the National Assembly to respect the voice of the people which is the voice of God.
“Democracy is the government of the people for the people and by the people and the people have spoken. Mr President cannot love us more than we love ourslves. He said he wants to save more money for Nigeria and he allows the country to go on strike, are we not losing more money? I don’t know how much we have lost, but I am sure we have lost half of what they can use to repair our refineries.
“What is the big deal in reverting to N65 per litre and why can’t he revert the pump price of petrol for the economy to pick up again. Mr. President should just do this to save the country and let the nation move forward,’’ he said.
He added that the ongoing nationwide strike should not be given ethnic colouration.
“We should not give this strike an ethnic colouration. That the South-South leaders and South -East leaders have spoken is not the issue on ground. Are they the majority of Nigerians? No, the masses have said no to fuel subsidy and so be it. Nigeria should not be compared to the United Kingdom or United States at all. Infact, there is no basis for comparison.
“Even the UK that they are talking about, there are some benefits the ordinary man enjoys that we do not enjoy here in Nigeria. There is a law there that 60-year old people should not pay for transport in cities within the UK and their pupils were being paid about five pounds monthly. We have a lot of unemployed youths here, who have aged parents and siblings to take care of and the federal government still wants them to pay such exorbitant fee on petrol. It is not fair,’’ he said.
—Jamiu Yisa