The senator representing Bayelsa East on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ben Murray-Bruce, has given some words of wise counsel to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on how to help it ease the burden imposed on Nigerians by recent increment in price of petrol.
The federal government on Wednesday announced the removal of subsidy and increase in price of petroleum products from N86 a litre to N145.
The move has been greeted with condemnation by Nigerians, who are still grappling with the effects of the worsening economy on their living conditions.
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Mr. Bruce said it was unfair for government to increase the pump price of petrol when it has not improved the living conditions of the people or reduced what the government is consuming.
He, however, advised the president to increase minimum wage to help workers cope with increased fuel price or exclude minimum wage earners from paying tax.
Is it fair on the masses to ask them to pay double for fuel when we have not improved the economy or reduced what we in govt consume?
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016
I appeal to @MBuhari to consider the immense suffering in Nigeria and increase minimum wage to help workers cope with increased fuel price.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016
Either @Mbuhari increases the minimum wage to help masses cope with increased fuel price or he should allow minimum wage earners pay no tax.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016
Increase minimum wage because the President and his cabinet, dont buy fuel with their money, yet earn more than minimum wage workers who do!
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016
Already FG ruled out the ₦5k allowance it promised poor Nigerians. Instead of assisting them the FG wants to take from them via fuel price.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016