‘Nigeria, Going Through Labour Pains’

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has described the current crisis in the country over the removal of subsidy on petrol as “labour pains”.

Ochekpe said yesterday in Abuja that the government’s move to revitalise the economy through the removal of fuel subsidy could be likened to the travails of a woman in labour.

She said that the pains a mother experienced in labour was a matter of life and death that fizzled out when the child was born.

She said that the short-term pains of subsidy removal, would in the future, help to transform Nigeria into a viable entity.

“Nigeria is going through labour pains just now, and we must soothe her pains by working together to ensure safe delivery of a transformed Nigeria and not work towards still birth.

“Government acknowledges the temporary discomfort the present measures will cause, but the long-term benefit far outweighs the temporary discomfort.”

The minister solicited the cooperation of all Nigerians to enable the government to achieve its objectives to bring transparency and accountability in the oil sector.

She said: “Imagine a Nigeria where there are good roads running through its length and breath; a Nigeria with drastically reduced maternal and infant mortality rates.

“A Nigeria with stable power supply; high agricultural yields, adequate water supply; effective public transportation systems.

“A Nigeria that no longer imports refined petroleum products; does not only refine the products and create jobs, but also exports refined and processed products and earns additional income.

“`A Nigeria where both the government and the governed learn to trust each other and are transparent and accountable in their interaction.”

The minister reaffirmed the commitment and desire of President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration to achieve these objectives as promised.

She appealed to Nigerians and labour not to shut down Nigeria through the ongoing strike but rather cooperate with the government to achieve its programmes.

“Let good reasoning and wisdom prevail as we collectively face the challenges of nation building; this can only be attained with your cooperation and not by shutting down Nigeria.

“Give this administration the benefit of the doubt and with God on our side, we shall keep faith and deliver on promises made.”