Tinubu reacts to fresh increase in price of petrol, says ‘we can’t help it’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally reacted to the fresh increase in the price of petrol, saying there is nothing that could be done to salvage the situation if the country must move forward.

Recall that on Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)Ltd. raised pump prices to N855 and N897 per litre up from N617/l a few days after the national oil company admitted it was in dire financial straits. Independent marketers adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200/l.

The development has forced transporters in major cities to hike fares by up to 50 per cent and commuters who have been facing economic hardship now trek long distances to work or are not showing up at all.

Business owners have their share as they now fear lower patronage.

Earlier, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and some civil society organisations (CSOs), expressed outrage at the recent hike in petrol prices, lamenting that the federal government is inflicting further hardship on Nigerians.

Tinubu reacting to the development while addressing members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel on Friday, Tinubu said Nigeria is going through reforms as such there’s nothing that can be done to ameliorate the pains caused by the fuel price hike.

“Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions. For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.

“But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools. And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?

“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?

“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people. The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development,’’ the President said.

He added that; “We want our children to be in good schools, not tattered huts and dilapidated buildings. We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish.

“One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that,” the President stated.

The President noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.

“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” President Tinubu added.