Atiku questions 30-day petrol discount, calls for lasting relief

Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount, questioning what happens when the offer expires and whether savings will reach passengers.

The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said Nigerians needed lasting relief from high fuel, transport and food costs rather than a temporary intervention at NNPC filling stations.

His response came in a Thursday statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council’s director of strategic communication. Atiku described the offer as a “panic-driven publicity stunt”.

“What happens on Day 31? Nigerians wake up to the same brutal prices, the same punishing transport fares and the same rising cost of food,” the statement said.

Atiku said the government had not disclosed how much motorists would save per litre or guaranteed that lower fuel costs for transporters would produce lower fares. He also criticised the restriction of the offer to NNPC outlets.

The government announced the discount for an initial 30 days, with priority for public transport operators. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said petrol would be sold at cost and rejected the description of the arrangement as a subsidy. NaijaTrend reported the announcement here.

Atiku reiterated his alternative proposal for capped, budgeted production support tied to petrol refined in Nigeria, with safeguards intended to pass the benefits to consumers.

Sources: Punch, Channels Television