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By Oluseye Ojo
Foremost opposition leader and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has again hit President Bola Tinubu following incessant hikes in the increase of pump price of petroleum.
According to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu’s disorganised and insincere approach to managing the country’s fuel subsidy, which he claims has plunged the nation into an economic crisis, will not abate.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku lamented the strangulating impact of the economic policies on Nigerians, particularly highlighting the soaring inflation that has severely affected the material well-being of the citizens.
“The haphazard and disingenuous approach of the current administration to fuel subsidy management has been the reason we are in this current economic crisis in the country. As things stand, there will be no let up in the escalating inflation rate, which is drowning the material well-being of Nigerians,” Atiku wrote.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to channel its energy towards the development and massive investment in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as an alternative to petrol.
President of the Senate at NANS headquarters, Akinteye Babatunde, in a statement, expressed concerns over the persistent fuel challenges in the country.
According to him, the CNG represents a more sustainable, affordable, and cleaner energy source that could reduce the heavy reliance on petrol, which has negatively impacted the economy and burdened citizens.
“We call on the government to take bold steps in establishing CNG refilling stations in all local government areas across Nigeria to ensure accessibility and availability to all. CNG holds clear advantages over petrol. “First, it is significantly cheaper, which would bring immediate financial relief to Nigerians struggling with the high cost of fuel. The affordability of CNG will also lower transportation costs, benefiting students and low-income earners, as well as the general population.
“Second, CNG is an environmentally friendly fuel, producing fewer harmful emissions compared to petrol and diesel. This would not only improve air quality but also help Nigeria play its part in combating global climate change.
“Third, CNG-powered vehicles are known to be more efficient, with reduced engine wear and lower maintenance costs, offering long-term benefits to both individual car owners and transport companies. “Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves make CNG a domestically available resource that can boost energy security, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and stabilize the economy by insulating it from the volatility of global oil prices.
“By investing in CNG, Nigeria can diversify its energy sources, ensuring a stable, reliable supply of fuel, and protecting its citizens from the frequent fluctuations in petrol prices.
“Additionally, we emphasise the need for massive sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the benefits of CNG. Many Nigerians are still unaware of its cost-effectiveness, environmental advantages, and long-term savings. “A nationwide campaign, coupled with government incentives for vehicle conversion to CNG, will foster widespread adoption and make the transition to cleaner energy smoother for all.
“However, we believe that investing in CNG will address many of the country’s current energy challenges and offer a sustainable solution that secures the future for Nigerian students and the wider populace.
“We call on the Federal Government to act swiftly and decisively by investing in CNG infrastructure and raising public awareness, ensuring that CNG becomes a viable energy alternative in Nigeria. Nigerian students stand in solidarity with this cause, as it holds the potential to provide economic relief, improve environmental health, and offer a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation.”
