By Adetunji Ayobrown
There is a riddle I will like you to solve, according to FG, fuel prices are determined by US dollar but what determines electricity tariff in Nigeria? If you think you know this, you may win a prize from Sai Baba, who is having sleepless nights. This is serious because what is happening may prompt many citizens to take to the streets in Nigeria, as part of their reactions trailing the new fuel price and increased electricity tariff. Indeed, the fire is getting hotter by the hour.
Now is the time to listen attentively and prepare effectively; ‘corrupt middlemen are behind the continuous rising of food prices in our country’, is the sermon delivered by Mr President. But who are behind that of fuel increase? Nigerians are asking the Minister of Petroleum, President Muhammadu Buhari to give appropriate answers to reasons why after his five years in office none of our four refineries are working and with running cost in billions of naira.
Nigeria’s foreign debt grew from $9 billion to $30 billion in the spell of a few years. Fuel increased from N87 to N162 in Nigeria, one of the world’s largest producer; to say we were once an oil sufficient nation. That was not too long ago. But then came a government of in correctable tyranny with many vain promises of making our refineries to function, stopping fuel importations and bettering the living conditions of citizens through the increases.
A patient who can still gobble down foods makes the nurses doubtful of his health condition. This government seems to be rubbing shoulders with gangsters, or how else will you describe an oil producing nation importing fuel under the supervision of a self acclaimed anti corruption crusader? When you fully trust a person without any doubt, you get one of these results: a person (friend) for life or a lesson for life.
As Nigerians were still struggling to survive the hardship of living in a country devastated by poor and mismanaged economy, including insecurity, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) increased the fuel price and electricity tariff to N151 and N66 respectively. As it is, citizens’ patience and emotions are being toyed with. Nigerians, as we all know have tolerance and perseverance in abundance but they will gladly apply the opposite of these when pushed to the wall. This was the message we are sending to this administration.
We want the government to know and treat us as human beings and not as inanimate things.
For a while, some bought into this illusion of presenting different false narratives, but it is glaring to all that the hope as preached then and being acted now is dented and dashed. When the government that on inception prided itself of giving hope is now dishing out hopelessness to the citizens then … well the rest is left to us to decide.
I love it when they showed us not to have conscience, and our not reacting they considered as a good development. But the recent hike in the price of electricity and fuel is obvious display of wickedness and draconian rule under any kind of administration. It sure adds to the economic hardship already being suffered by the people in a country already bruised by insecurity, acts of terrorism and unemployment coupled with the Coronavirus onslaught. And when other countries are all putting in their best efforts to reduce the burden on their citizens, the Nigerian government is piling more hardships on its citizens.
Nigeria is about the only country with vast reserve of crude oil in world that lacks economic wisdom and import refined products of such volume for its domestic consumption from thousands of miles away with billions of US dollars as subsidy.
We have hope for a better condition of living under this government. Vague hopes can lead to lots of let downs and this is a clear case. Though many are not surprised, because he who goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing; over borrowing has its effects which is part of what we are going through now. Nigeria is not only among those borrowing indiscriminately but is on top of the chart.
We just found freedom; losing all hopes is freedom. Our hope has vanished; this is our submission as Nigerians, who voted for the government of APC under the leadership of Buhari. Like millions more, the citizen’s anger are rekindled on the administration for its anti masses policies. What APC did to then President Goodluck Jonathan when he increased fuel price is still fresh in our memories but now, the APC have done worse.
Fake things become real when they are bought and sold many times. It all started with bank charges increase, followed by Value Added Tax, VAT, which are directly proportional to the prices of food commodity which also increased astronomically. Now, it is the combo of fuel price and electricity tariffs without any palliative to ease the burden.
Frankly speaking, this increase is ill timed and ill advised. There is no justification good enough when the country is just coming out of the lockdown. A travesty that would affect millions of poor Nigerians who are still struggling to meet the increased costs of transportation and basic goods for survival.
When policies are of bad taste or in bad fate, you put the fate of the polity to test. Mental pictures of the events under this government, shows impetuous disregard for the challenges Nigerians are facing, many have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. Instead of economic stimulus, it is economic sabotage for the masses. Why at this time makes it worrisome.
No conscience in the ping pong game. What happened to the 40naira fuel price promised as election campaign by Mr President in 2014 and 2015? Since then, what exactly is the Nigerians citizens enjoying under this administration? Insecurity has been increasing unabated for over five years, the security is on relapsed mode, and the economy is in shambles, these are indicators of a failed state, which all Nigerians must rise against.
We’ll prevent food scarcity, Mr President narrated but how to tackle that of fuel seems impossible under his watch and leadership. Nigerians totally reject the increased electricity tariffs, which are not determined by scarce dollars.
In an already inflated economy, government now introduced fuel price increase, a development that will lead to increase in prices of goods and commodities produced by manufacturers and other producers, which will automatically be transferred to the populace. Only an evil government will accent to such increase in the prices of essential commodities during a pandemic. When other nations are making frantic efforts to make life easier for their citizens through tax cuts and palliatives, but ours is doing the exact opposite.
When a government gets too comfortable at the expense of its citizen’s displeasure. A vehement rejections from all on the increased electricity tariffs is not totally out of place.
Just coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous, enough is enough. Nigerians deserve enjoyment of basic amenities with ease. Nigerians refused this government’s version of inhumanity and vehemently stand against it.
Electricity and fuel increases at this moment is pure wickedness.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via [email protected]
