Petrol prices in Nigeria have come under scrutiny from Peter Obi, who criticised the unclear roles of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NMDPRA).
Moreover, he urged the government to address the recent 16% increase and alleviate economic hardship for citizens.
In Nigeria, a crisis over petrol prices has drawn the attention of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.
Specifically, Obi raised concerns about a “growing confusion” surrounding the roles of the NUPRC and NMDPRA.
On his X account, he questioned the unclear responsibilities of these agencies and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Read Also: Bayelsa: APC Suspends Minister Of State For Petroleum
“We are told that the NNPCL is now a limited liability company regulated by these agencies; yet, there is confusion about who is regulating whom,” he noted.
Furthermore, on the same day, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) announced a staggering 16% increase in petrol prices, marking the third rise in two months.
Prices jumped from ₦950 per litre in Lagos to ₦998, and even reached ₦1,003 in northeastern states.
In light of this, Obi criticised the federal government’s policy choices, arguing that the price hike showed a profound disregard for the suffering of citizens.
He urged the Minister of Petroleum Resources, who is also the President, to clarify the reasons behind the increase and provide relief for struggling Nigerians.
“To impose such a harsh measure from the comfort of an annual vacation shows a lack of concern for the people’s welfare,” he emphasized, reflecting the frustration of many.