Goodluck bids Goodwill Goodbye
On May 29, 2011, when the Goodluck administration birthed, we placed our dreams, hopes and aspirations on the cusp of a (supposed) new beginning. His publicists did a wonderful job potraying him as the 'messiah' we had been anticipating. "Transformation Agenda", "Fresh Air", "New Dawn" rented the air; it were the major phrases with which he was labelled. Alas, barely 31 weeks after he took oath of office, what started like a beer-parlour rumor only a couple of weeks back finally dawned on us. We were slogged below the belt - and in the most ridiculous way too.
On Jan 1, 2012, the Federal Government (through the PPPRA), in a provoking terse statement, made true its stance to cut-off fuel subsidy. Consequently, premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol will sell for #141/litre. Its arguments:
That the more #1 trillion will be used to finance projects that will benefit the entire citizenry;
That henceforth, it will no longer finance the national budget with borrowed funds;
That the cut will save the nation an imminent collapse, boost the naira and make us a more competitive player in international oil business.
However, as good as it sounds, I, at this end have come up with my arguments;
That why the hastiness when thus far, government has not put in place palliative measures to cushion the improvishing effects. Our rail and water ways services is still poor; power generation is at a meagre 3,700MW (when the county needs at least 30,000MW), our roads are death traps (a recent global survey on road mishap which the FRSC confirmed ranks Nigeria 191 out of 192); agriculture is yet to bounce back (rice imports is worth #1 billion daily); rural development is below average; industries have folded; education sector is in disarray; unemployment index is 32%;
That what happened to the money we made from excess crude oil sales which the NNPC claimed it saved for the country;
That rather the total cut, is it not possible we spread the subsidy removal over three to four years so that the economy can adjust, thereby allowing the people plan ahead;
That are we to pay for the trillions pocketed by the gluttonous oil industry cabal/s that ceaselessly defraud and milk us dry?
Perhaps if government had expended the same vigor and resilience to make our refineries work, our lives would be better. Only two weeks ago, it was reported by the Daily Sun and other dailies that neighbouring Ghana will by 2015 begin exportation of electricity to Nigeria and some West African states because it would have "excess power" by then. I weep for mγ country.
The pronouncement of the cut is -to put mild- an ambush on the people which if not well-managed may lead to anarchy. We were fooled to think it would take effect no sooner than April this year. We were made to think that the open and closed-door parleys held with legislators, labour, civil society organisations, students and organised private sector will materialise. Government officials lied on national TV and different fora with utter contempt, saying no date has been fixed for take off even when the president kept mute on the issue during his Dec 13th budget presentation.
If I were GEJ and had to announce such a divisve decision, I would have allowed Nigerians to at least come out of the festive mood and not the first day of the year. Certainly not.
'Wale Odunsi
wodunsi@yahoo.com
07062594490
No comments:
Post a Comment