CISLAC Faults 30-day Petrol Discount, Demands Accountability for Hardship

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that the Federal Government's proposed 30-day petrol discount cannot replace lasting solutions to Nigeria's cost-of-living crisis.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the group said temporary price relief does not absolve the government of responsibility for the hardship its policies have created.

"While any genuine relief is welcome," CISLAC said, the government "cannot expect Nigerians to celebrate temporary concessions without accepting responsibility for the hardship."

The organisation said rising transport costs, higher food prices, business closures and falling purchasing power have followed the removal of the petrol subsidy. It said the promised benefits "remain largely invisible to struggling households."

CISLAC demanded immediate transparency on the proposed ₦1,350 petrol price ceiling and the 30-day discount from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

It asked what Nigerians will actually pay at the pump, who is financing the discount, how much it will cost and what happens after 30 days.

The group also asked how the measure will lower transport fares, food prices and the cost of essential goods.

It urged the government to explain where savings from subsidy removal have gone, how much has been realised and who has benefited.

"Nigerians deserve accountability, not economic promises without measurable results," the statement said.

CISLAC called on the government to tackle corruption, excessive governance costs, wasteful spending and weak accountability.

It also urged cuts in unnecessary expenditure, stronger domestic production, better electricity supply, affordable transport and protection for vulnerable households.

"It is unacceptable for ordinary Nigerians to continue paying the price of economic reforms while political officeholders remain largely insulated from their consequences," the group said.

Rafsanjani, who also heads Transparency International Nigeria, said the true test of governance is "sustained reductions in living costs, improved livelihoods and accountable management of public resources," not a 30-day discount.