By Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for liberalising petrol sales, describing it as the beginning of economic rebirth for the country.
A statement by the United Kingdom Coordinator of the group, Adeka Onyilo, noted that the inherited rot that left Nigerians suffering on fuel queues was becoming an international embarrassment until the President took the drastic step to salvage the unbearable situation.
Onyilo stated: “The cartel that acquire FOREX from government under the guise of importing petrol only embark on round tripping that has been severed from the supply chain and should leave the government with some money to invest in other sectors that will touch the lives of citizens across board.
“We however urged that the judicious and prudent management of the resources of Nigeria vested in the custody of the present government because this is important to the nation’s prosperity.”
With this drastic decision, the group stressed that Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu have carved niches for themselves in Nigeria’s history and deserving laurels for daring to do the right thing.
The group however urged Buhari and Kachikwu to ensure that Nigerians who now have to pay realistic prices for petrol were not shortchanged by fraudulent marketers, who tamper with their meters to underdispense the product.
It added: “We further urged the Minister to enforce the price cap as reports indicate that some outlets still sell above the computed N145 per liter.
“Such development can only create the cover for those opposed to change to creep on the government and populace with another price hike or petrol scarcity citing the willingness of the people to pay more as excuse.”
