Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged
President Muhammadu Buhari to “exercise his authority as the Minister of
Petroleum Resources by urgently prioritising the sector and coordinating
government responses to the fuel scarcity across the country, which is
clearly exacerbating extreme/absolute poverty, stripping millions of
Nigerians any real opportunity to exercise their human rights and take on
responsibilities.”
In a statement today by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the
organisation said, “The longer this fuel scarcity continues the greater
the difficulties Nigerians will face. President Buhari now has to take
control of the Ministry of Petroleum to end continuing suffering by
ensuring that fuel is available and properly distributed across the
country. There’s a lot of work to do in this sector; so the President
should roll up his sleeves and sort this out before it goes out of hand.”
The statement reads in part: “Nigerians need a permanent solution to the
fuel crisis. Given the country’s status among oil producing countries,
this government must not fall for the quick fix and the short-termism that
characterised the policies of successive governments.”
“The chaos which seems to be developing across the country has subjected
many Nigerians to harsh economic and social conditions, making them
incapable of developing their abilities and realising their potential.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Nigerians will be put
through severe economic conditions, which may amount to torture or cruel
or degrading treatment or punishment.”
“Despite the country’s commitment under the UN International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Nigeria ratified the Covenant in
October 1993), successive governments since the return of democracy in
1999 have failed to ensure availability of fuel nationally, thereby
rendering already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their
minimum needs for survival.”
“The current development has perpetrated a string of misfortunes for the
citizens: poor living conditions, ill-health, marginalization, and an
inability to enter into the life of society and assume responsibilities.
This situation is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s
human rights commitments, and cannot be justified given that Nigeria is
among leading producers of oil in the world.”
“Indeed, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights itself
has recognized poverty as a violation of the obligations assumed by states
parties under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights to which Nigeria is a party.”
“The President must now urgently address the continuing problem of fuel
scarcity and to ensure full and unhindered supply of fuel throughout the
country by sorting out the refineries and addressing the systemic
corruption in the sector. This is the time for President Buhari to address
accountability issues around the fuel subsidy fraud.”
“The President should send a strong message that his government will not
tolerate a situation under successive governments since the return of
democracy in 1999 which permitted increasing wealth for some and
perpetrating a growing poverty for others. This situation is incompatible
with the letter and spirit of the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, and constitutes a serious violation of the
Covenant’s provisions.”