Shehu Sani, Senator representing Kaduna Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debt, on Thursday said the decision by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to increase the pump price of petroleum products is insensitive and punitive. A statement personally signed and issued by Mr. Sani in Kaduna described the situation as most unfortunate.

The Senator, who is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said of the fuel price hike from about N86/litre to N145/litre: “At a time when poor Nigerians are facing enormous economic hardships and are being asked to be more patient, all the NNPC can do is to add to their suffering.

“It’s utterly irrational and illogical to further impoverish the people in order to achieve liberal self serving liberal economic aspirations.

“It’s all evidence that capitalist forces are holding the FG hostage and are blackmailing it to implement its inimical version of economic reforms. It makes no sense if everyone must perish in order to revamp the economy.

“Economic reforms are necessary but it must be done with a human face and human heart if it’s made in the interest of human beings.

“Outrageous increase in pump price is a social provocation. It’s possible to reform the oil sector without necessarily incinerating the country. We must not take the patience, the sacrifice and the good will of Nigerians for granted.

“I stand opposed to the increase in pump price and I call on PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) to weigh in on the NNPC to rescind the decision.”

•Photo shows Senator Shehu Sani.