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| A fuel subsidy protester shot dead |
Nigerians love a good surprise but we were not ready for the ‘new year gift’ we received from our president. The issue of fuel subsidy is not news to any Nigerian at the moment. The effect has already started hitting hard with the drastic increase in the price of transportation and as expected major goods.
While some people are more concerned with the increased cost of transportation others, are worried about the adverse effect it will have on the standard of living in the country. Prior to the fuel hike, the average Nigerian found it difficult to ‘make ends meet’……. I wonder what will happen now. Most people could barely eat, with the Nigerian food ‘garri’ (which was jokingly referred to as the poor man’s food) becoming a luxury to a good majority of Nigerians. The almost non-existent manufacturing sector will be affected. Some industries will pack up and move to other African countries. Small and medium scale enterprises will also be affected with some businesses closing shop because of the high cost of operation (we all know that power plants are our main source of power, with PHCN as backup). Jobs would also be lost as companies will try to cut down on cost.
The sad thing is that the present government which was elected by the people has decided to ignore the yearnings of the people. They have taken an authoritative position on the issue, with
more after the jump
protesters being killed and reports that the Nigerian broadcasting commission has started censoring radio and television stations in Nigeria over the issue of fuel subsidy. Our hopes were dashed when after the federal executive council meeting which was held on the 4th of January, the issue of fuel subsidy was maintained.
Nigerians have already started expressing their regrets over the massive support the present president received at the polls with notable Nigerians like Don Jazzy expressing his regret for openly supporting and even voting for him at the poles on twitter.
Personally I feel we have more pressing issues in the country at the moment. If finding a solution to the issue of of insecurity had been given as much vigour as the present issue of fuel subsidy, we would have long found a solution.
No matter the argument of the Nigerian government, I personally feel as an oil producing country and with the current standard of living of Nigerians, the move to remove the subsidy on Petrol is a wrong one. If I am to meet the supporters of the removal of fuel subsidy half way by agreeing with them that it is the right thing to do in the interest of our economy, now is not the right time. Nigerians should not be made to pay for the crimes of a group of people.
Mr President we believed that you were going to make Nigerians smile by implementing policies that will improve the standard of living in the country. Most of us believed that you will take Nigeria to the promised land and make Nigeria an envy on the continent, that is why people made ‘painful sacrifices’ at the polls. Please do not betray the trust the people have in you. Do not increase the pain and burden of that parent(s) trying to make ends meet….. to make sure that their kids are educated. Do not remove the hope and sparkle in the eyes of that child who believes in a better tomorrow by increasing the suffering of the child.
Mr President, Nigerians have suffered enough, do not worsen their plight.
