By Hauwa Gambo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) has congratulated the Nigerian masses a successful day of strikes, rallies and mass protests.
The reports from across the country show that Nigerians remain resolute in their resolve that the increase in the price of PMS (petrol) of between N141 and N220 must be reversed to N65.
The NLC advised the Presidency to take a cue from this mass anger of Nigerians by reversing its anti-people policy on fuel. “By their actions in the past few days, Nigerians have left the Presidency and the world in no doubt that sovereignty belongs to them and that they intend to reclaim their country,” the statement read.
The Labour Movement alerts the country and the world at large that the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has imported armed thugs into Abuja to attack the anti-fuel price hike protesters.
“Clearly, the Presidency had intended to use the police and army to carry out planned attacks on peaceful protesters but due to the outcry over previous murders, it has opted to use armed thugs.”
Labour warned the Presidency that it will be held responsible for whatever atrocities these thugs commit. The Labour Movement has also decided in the meantime to lodge a formal complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Jonathan and Inspector General, Affiz Ringim for the murder of the protesters in the country.
Finally, the group urged the Presidency to wake up to the reality that Nigerians who have spoken out across the country against the fuel price hike and called on Nigerians to continue the strikes, rallies and protests until the Jonathan government listens to the voice of the Nigerian People.
Why does the Nigerian government find dealing decisively with the corruption that has plunged the nation into a global ridicule less important than removing oil subsidy? It is obvious that they are trying to mop up more money by taxing the helpless masses to increase the plunder available for their sharing so that there could be enough to continue to fuel their luxury and untamed appetites?
You can see how all that come to support the government on TV are all government apologist, favoured politicians and shameless political contractors that parasite on the executive. …from one lying minister that never bought fuel to another minister that reels out polices and promises that he/she will never take responsibility for their delivery. From one hired analyst to one national economic team member that will naturally be ashamed to disclose his sitting allowance and, to one special /personal assistance/adviser on Niger delta or amnesty program; etc.
The CBN governor that now lectures like a ‘holi-spirit’ and sounds like an angel is the same that came into CBN some years back and immediately tripled the number of licences awarded to BDC operators in a bid to bring in his own and also please his friends /godfathers without considering why his predecessor pegged it to a limited number of 50 class A operators. By the time he realised how the national reserved is depleted by this act, rather than take responsibility for his mismanagement, all he could do was to unilaterally revoke all licences with ridiculous claims. Even as that careless act of his killed genuine entrepreneurs in that sector, threw many out of job and eroded the people’s investments, he never cared but, he continued with lies upon lies to cover up his errors. The same Sanusi assured the affected BDC operators that they will get their mandatory 500m naira deposit returned to them quickly (within 3 months of the change in policy) in order to minimised their losses but, this never happened until after a full year of that promise. Yet, that was within the ‘small CBN’ that he has absolute control over its operations. All manner of things happened under his nose, including asking for bribes by CBN inspectors and this was reported to him in a meeting with stakeholder and he never acted. If he could not supervise CBN to implement those little promises of his, how is he going to supervise the Nigerian Government (executives) to implement this big one? one thing is to sell promises and another is to implement then as said. Is he just telling us what they plan to do with money saved from the petrol subsidy, how is he assuring us that he will follow through for the delivery of the promise made in the SURE document they are spending billions to promote. Am sure they are also preparing to pass the bulk or urge us to be patience when their failure in its delivery becomes obvious. That is if they are still left in that position, the new minister will explain how it is not their fault to us.
The Petroleum Minister made a sensational visit to Benin-Ore express-way when she was minister for works with her well-ironed coverall, she cried and made remarkable promises for the construction of the road. That never happened and she is not even ashamed.
But wait a minute, where is the money saved in diesel deregulation since 5years ago. Let us assume that diesel consumption is about a quarter of that of petrol, shouldn’t we have saved the same amount of money in five years and invested it where the people could see and trust the government.
Ehhh…. Every nation that goes down the privatization road as Nigeria has for the past few years ends up in drastic reduction of their overheads as most of the non-performing government enterprises are sold out, the usual wage bills and subventions are severed from the national budget. Where are the savings in our privatization exercise? Instead, Nigeria’s recurrent expenditure has continued to be on the rise that it now gulps about 72% of National budget. What exactly is happening? Where are the gains of privatization?
Here is a report of how Nigerian lawmakers earn over ten times Obama’s annual wage: http://travel.wikinut.com/Nigerian-lawmakers-a… . This is just for the documented earnings, how about the off-the- records sharing. How about the executives and the game in public offices, should we talk about those presiding over ministries, departments and agencies?
The question is: Is it really true that it is better to ignore corruption and increase the burden on the poor masses?
My prayer is that whoever that supports corruption for what he/she benefits today should live to bear the agony of seeing his/her children and grand children consumed by the fire when it begins to burn tomorrow. Let everyone and his/her generation be vindicated by the role he/she played to put Nigeria where it is at any given time. AMEN