The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum, (ABMPF), has voiced deep concerns over the growing hardships faced by Nigerians.
In a press statement issued yesterday, signed by its Chairman of the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum, Abdullahi I Yelwa, (Ajiyan Yauri), the Forum cited the recent hike in petroleum product prices and skyrocketing costs of goods and services as major contributors to the country’s economic meltdown, which they claim has brought significant suffering to ordinary citizens and workers.
The ABMPF called on the government to allow the Dangote Refinery to operate without interference from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), stating that this could promote competition and stabilise the petroleum market.
The Forum expressed its belief that an independent refinery could help curb rising fuel prices, which are exacerbating the economic situation.
In addition to economic concerns, the Forum strongly condemned the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s North and Central regions.
The statement further said, “Banditry, kidnapping, and the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States have left many agrarian communities in fear. The group expressed alarm at the government’s response to these challenges”.
Addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directly, the ABMPF outlined a list of demands, including: An immediate reduction in the cost of governance and halting the proposed 10% hike in Value-Added Tax (VAT); Reversal of the recently increased pump price of petroleum products; Ending wasteful and extravagant government spending, particularly by legislators.
Others include: Concrete steps to tackle both the economic and security crises; Taking a more aggressive approach to combating terrorism in Northern and Central Nigeria, especially in States such as Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger”.
The ABMPF emphasised that the government must prioritise the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly workers, and urged leaders at all levels to take decisive action to ease the growing burden on the population.
