The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger has condemned the increase in the pump price of petrol by the NNPC.

NNPC’s retail management approved the upward review of petrol pump price from N617 per litre to N897 per litre effective September 3.

Abdullahi Ability, vice-chairman of the party in Niger, stated this while addressing journalists on Thursday in Minna.

He said the increase would further subject Nigerians to hardship and abject poverty.

Mr Ability said the removal of the fuel subsidy had worsened the situation of the masses.

He questioned the rationale behind the increase in the official pump price of petrol from N617 to N860 per litre to N1,000.

According to him, it is insensitive for a government to increase the fuel pump price at this moment when Nigerians can barely feed.

“How can the government justify the increase in the fuel pump price at a time when the average Nigerian can barely afford basic meals?” he said.

He urged the government to proffer solutions to the economic challenges being faced by Nigerians rather than increasing the price of fuel.

“The fuel price hike is just another blow, pushing already struggling families further into despair,” he said.

(NAN)