Sins Of The Fathers (II) …How Nigerians View Subsidy Removal

Last week Monday, on My Agony, we looked at a scenario where medical surgeon waited in vain to secure approval for the medical amputation of a leprous foot, by a next of kin, until both feet got infected, resulting in the death of the patient.

We also looked at other variables, if the surgeon himself was the next of kin to the dying diabetes patient, and did not require an approval to save his sibling’s life. We figured also that President Goodluck Jonathan, by his populist election, equates the next of kin to Nigeria, and would naturally be the first to blame should the nation’s economy collapse under his watch.

Was the President right to act before death of the patient or merely sulk about the pain his dying brother and other siblings would bear before or after death, if he be made to shed tears in the hands of female nurses?

Then I opened my mail box and shared with readers views of Nigerians on whether or not removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol was necessary or not, timely or not, or beneficiary or not.

Today, we continue from where we stopped.

Hon Joseph Sodienye, ACN liaison officer, South South:

As an accountant by profession and member of the Nigerian Economic Society, I have to say that people should not dehumanize the government of President Goodluck Jonathan even though the removal of fuel subsidy should have been phased out gradually.

Fuel subsidy removal will help for the provision of jobs for the teeming youths across the country, health-care services, road infrastructure, potable water and electricity. It will also help to reactivate the four refineries at Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt to full capacity utilization.

Another area where the Federal Government should improve the nation’s economy is to embark on massive agricultural projects since the international oil market is so uncertain and volatile.

The Nigeria Railway Corporation can also be rehabilitated to support the Mass Transit Scheme recently launched by Mr President. This will definitely enhance the movement of petroleum products, agricultural produce as well as other heavy duty goods from one part of the country to another.

I congratulate President Jonathan and leaders of both Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for amicably resolving the fuel subsidy crisis. The suspension of the nation-wide strike will alleviate the sufferings of the masses and prevent further loss of revenue to the nation.

Hon Bright Tamuno Gogo, member, House of Reps:

The removal of subsidy on petrol is a very good executive initiative because it would enhance resuscitation of the country’s four ailing refineries.

President Goodluck Jonathan deserves commendation for the courage to confront the problem of subsidy headlong rather than play to the gallery, look the other way and leave office four years later as rich as others before him.

The Federal Government’s decision to deregulate the downstream sector, I’ll like to repeat, is indeed, in the interest of the nation and should be viewed by all as such.

We have the crude oil, people are taking this crude out and bringing it back in the form of petrol and all the rest. Landing charges are so high, the importers claim. Landing where? In Nigeria! We are talking of payment of demurrage while the state of all our refineries is bad. You see, there’s a lot of negative human factors in this subsidy issue and until you remove it (completely), our refineries will not work, because marketers are making so much gain from importation of petroleum products.

“Just imagine that between January and December, last year, N1.3 trillion was spent on subsidy. Who is responsible? If we plough back this N1.3 trillion into the economy, can you imagine the effect it will have? But all these go into very few hands who would not re-invest by building private refineries. So, why don’t we stop the subsidy and put the proceeds into other needs like making the refineries work, since the money required to repair the refineries is what is used to import petroleum products at subsidized rate.

Nelson Chukwudi, a journalist:

Hi All, I expect all of us to accept President Jonathan’s announcement of reduction in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) to N97 per litre. My problem here is that with the reduction, it means the government’s regulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry stands and this means Foreign Direct Investment in the refining and petrochemical sub-sectors can’t come in, the much-needed jobs for our teeming youth would wait while economic development and recovery of the industrial sector will continue to slow down.

Whether we like it or not, the oil industry drives our economy, and if the downstream sector is not deregulated now to create window for private investors in the refining and petrochemical sub-sectors, our economy will very soon crumble on the weight of huge population of over 167million people, burdened by crass unemployment, rising insecurity and criminality, glaring poverty, increasing health consequences, high level of illiteracy and ignorance. A nation unwilling to suffer temporary hardship in order to do away with these challenges faces imminent catastrophe. I hope we don’t lead our nation to that preventable precipice. We need to be competitive as a nation in our areas of comparative advantage. We need to support Jonathan to save this country.

Oronto Douglas, special adviser to Mr President:

?I am personally hopeful that with the support of God Almighty and the boldness and the never-give-up spirit of the Nigerian, this challenge will pass.

Muyiwa Akintunde, public affairs commentator:

I have been an advocate of a reversal of PMS pump price to N65/litre. But in the prevailing circumstances, my view is that labour has taken the right decision. If labour or civil society groups had pushed the mass protests/strike further, they would have been faced with an embarrassing situation where the crowds at the rallies would be thinning out. What to do now is to ensure that the gains of the week-long struggle are consolidated.

Civil society must ensure that the probe of the downstream sector is closely monitored and seen through, and wastages in the public sector drastically blocked while we devise a strategy of ensuring that we hold our elected officials at all levels – from your councillor to the president – accountable for every kobo of the public spent. It’s victory for the people after all. Who would have imagined that even a symbolic gesture will be made to probe the corruption in the petroleum sector? It’s a new day in Nigeria but we must not rest on our oars.

Soni Irabor, seasoned journalist:

Government has spoken and taken a position by pegging PMS pump price at N97, promising to fight corruption head-on. Labour still insists on N65. Government insists that the nation’s security is at risk and that labour should reconsider its position. Labour adopts a sit-at-home strike without public protest. Nigeria is suffering economically. Shouldn’t we sheath our sword? Let’s begin to listen to our inner voice of reason. What do you think?

Muhammed Umar, Abuja-based businessman:

I think the security situation in the country is enough reason for immediate resolution of this dispute. Government has shifted ground, labour should as well have a rethink, because it is now a fact that all the stakeholders have agreed on subsidy removal, it is just the modalities and trust that is the issue now. We should know that Nigeria’s problem did not start from the current government.

Kamen Chuks O

Personally, I support the fuel subsidy removal, and I think labour should have a rethink in the interest of Nigerians.

Chukwumemeka Iwunna

On this subsidy issue, I quite agree with you totally. Reason must prevail at this time for the sake of our children.

Peter Nwoji, a public servant:

I think we should partner with government on this fuel subsidy issue for the good of Nigerians. We can hit the streets when after 3 or 6 months, we do not see any sign of progress. Call me then, and I will lead the Occupy Aso Rock match.

Tony Nwabueze, Abuja-based entrepreneur:

I was lucky to buy fuel at N141 from Obat filling station along Wuse market just after the church service on Sunday, January 15. Right now I am on my way to work; I am tired of staying at home. Think of it, if 9ija was NLC’s private business, would they shut down their biz for 6 days inconsiderate of how much they are losing. Since the Federal Government has come down to N97 per litre, that means there is progress. Labour should call off the strike; people should go back to work while deliberations continue with FG and NLC. Asking Nigerians to continue strike by staying at home is a wrong decision. Just like me, a lot of us are fade up staying at home. NLC has misfired. I am not a party to pulling down my own dear country’s economy, and so I plead with my fellow good citizens to please go back to work and make things come back to normal. Jonathan means well for us all.

Oluwasegun Belo-Osagie

My position is that government has never been known to be sincere. Yes, sheath our swords? It is the cheapest way to go in the short run. But I pray it is not an evil day postponed.

Tokunbo Olukilede

Well a Yoruba proverb says (eni aba le mu Olorun Oba ni ki a fi le lowo). Let us wait and see if it is true they are wiser than God Almighty. If what they are planning for us is real, it is okay, but if not, all those who have shared in the subsidy money both Federal Government and labour leaders, will cry for help and nobody will save them because the battle is from God. Firstly, between now and June, the way forward must be found.

Emmanuel Onuoha

Price of oil is not the main issue but the cartel who believe they should dictate how our gifted country should be run are the ones putting the fire. Enough is enough. It is high time President Jonathan come out openly and deal with this group squarely.

My Agony is that some Nigerians are hanging the sins of our fathers on the present leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan. This is unjust and unfair! President Jonathan truly means well for Nigeria and Nigerians. The petrol subsidy removal option was and still remains the most potent instrument for reviving our economy, and pushing the development process of this country to the next level. It is even the most decisive tool for fighting corruption which is the bane of our economy. Let’s give him and his team a chance to effect the change so desperately desire.

Soye Wilson Jamabo