The National Orientation Agency has called on Nigerians to remain calm following the recent increase in petrol prices, saying the development is largely driven by changes in the international crude oil market.
The agency also appealed to residents to allow the Federal and Kebbi State governments to continue implementing measures designed to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.
The NOA Director in Kebbi State, Muhammed Nasir-Karofi, made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday.
Nasir-Karofi explained that under the deregulated downstream petroleum sector, domestic petrol prices are affected by global crude oil prices, supply conditions, foreign exchange movements and market replacement costs.
He said similar price adjustments and inflationary pressures were being experienced in other West African countries, including Benin Republic, Niger, Togo and Cameroon.
The NOA official acknowledged the financial pressure the rising prices were placing on households and small businesses but said the removal of fuel subsidies was necessary to reduce the strain on government finances.
According to him, ending the subsidy burden would enable the government to redirect resources to critical areas such as infrastructure, security, education and social welfare.
In Kebbi, he said the state government was introducing measures to ease the effect of the economic challenges on residents.
These include expanding public transportation initiatives and upgrading facilities such as the Birnin Kebbi Central Motor Park to help lower transportation costs.
Nasir-Karofi also said the state was strengthening primary healthcare through the rehabilitation of health facilities, medical outreaches and expanded coverage under the Kebbi State Contributory Healthcare Scheme.
He added that the state government was providing operational support to security agencies to protect lives, property and farmlands.
The government, he said, was also implementing welfare, agricultural support and empowerment programmes targeting vulnerable people, women and youths across the 21 local government areas.
At the national level, Nasir-Karofi said the Tinubu administration was pursuing structural reforms aimed at improving education financing, strengthening security and diversifying the economy.
He acknowledged that the reforms could bring temporary hardship but expressed optimism that they would eventually contribute to sustainable development and improved public services.
