Subsidy: The President’s Sweeping Measures

Amidst mixed reactions by Nigerians and a looming strike action by both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), President Goodluck Jonathan, at the weekend, took his case to the Court of reason and public opinion. It was his second nation-wide broadcast to the people, and without doubt, announced what should pass as sweeping, yet positive changes.

Apparently defending as germane and imperative, government’s decision to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, the President pleaded for patience, understanding and support, if Nigeria must witness a greater economic future.

‘As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people,’ President Jonathan said, and assured that he had no intention to inflict unnecessary pain on Nigerians.

The deregulation of the petroleum sector, he said, is a necessary step that his government had to take, rather than do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges.

To demonstrate the resolve of his government to empathise with ordinary Nigerians, the President announced 25 per cent basic salary cut for all political office holders in the Executive arm of government with a promise to streamline existing committees, commissions and parastatals, with a view to cutting recurrent expenditure.

In like manner, the President directed that  overseas travels by political office holders, including himself, should be reduced to the barest minimum, while size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced, assuring that only trips that are absolutely necessary will henceforth be approved.

But perhaps, the most relieving of the President’s measures is that on the transportation sector. Government, the President assured, will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that may want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains.

While announcing the launching of  a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country, the President ordered the immediate mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway line.

In addition to all these, the President directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works Programme intended to engage 10,000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, totalling 370,000 jobs.

These measures, we think are far-reaching and if pursued with the sense of honesty with which the President voiced them; commence full domestic refining of petroleum products and pursue all other projects designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long term, it would have rendered un-necessary any further recourse to protest and industrial actions of any kind.

This is why we call for understanding among all stakeholders, particularly organized labour, to reconsider its planned strike and give Mr. President, benefit of doubt.

This is because apart from crippling the economy, such a strike would  also deny productive Nigerians access to the 370,000 jobs announced by the President, stagnate other viable projects and programmes, and in the end, merely postpone the doom’s day for our economy.

We urge organised Labour to demonstrate that it believes in the rule of law and heed the ruling of the Industrial Arbitration Court to call off the strike and instead embrace meaningful dialogue.

Even so, we expect the Federal Government to deliver on its many promises and show ordinary Nigerians that their sacrifices are not going to be in vain.

The time to start that work is now. Not later.