Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time to discuss the Nigerian project
I had no doubt before now that 2012 will be a difficult year for Nigerians and the government they elected in April. It will be difficult politically for the government, economically for the people and socially for both. All the tell-tale signs were there long before now. With the mounting human tragedy in the North due to the unrelenting bombing campaign of the extremist Islamic group, Boko Haram, and a looming religious strife, it is a year Nigerians should face with trepidation.
What I didn’t know was that President Goodluck Jonathan would personally stoke the embers of the already smouldering energy crisis and exacerbate the tension in the country so early in the day by authorizing the removal of fuel subsidy on New Year Day. Coming after the Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, announced, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on December 21, that the Federal Government was yet to fix a date for the commencement of the policy, that amounts to an ambush.
When the fact that Maku’s “clarification,” a rebuttal of an earlier statement made by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Austen Oniwon, that the policy would begin automatically with the implementation of the 2011 budget, is thrown into the mix, it becomes obvious that the government was, while claiming to be consulting with stakeholders, ensnaring the people.
It acted in bad faith, more so, when the 2012 budget estimates are yet to be passed into law and the National Assembly had already authorized the executive to implement the 2011 budget till March 31. The President, himself, while presenting the Appropriation Bill created the impression that implementation of the policy would start in April. The government has not started implementing the 2012 Budget. In fact, the Bill is yet to be passed into law. So, President Jonathan decided not to even wait for the budget. He has decided to operate outside his own 2012 fiscal framework.
Removing the so-called subsidy on New Year Day, a Sunday, when Nigerians were still in celebratory mood was an unkind cut; an act of bad faith that can only widen the gulf of mistrust between the government and the people.
On Monday, a journalist-turned-banker friend of mine who travelled to the East for the Yuletide sent this text. “There was anguish in Owerri this morning – Monday, January 2, 2012 – as most Christmas returnees woke up to discover they can no longer afford the transport fare back to their bases. Could you imagine that fuel is already selling for N200 in some areas in the East? I have filled my tank with N20,000 worth of petrol and I will do this twice before I reach Lagos.
Christmas returnees are already stranded in their villages as transport fare has gone hare wire.” This is surely the definition of hardship, which the President, ironically, promised on New Year Day not to inflict on Nigerians.
It is incongruous that a government that needs all the goodwill it can muster from the people is the one deliberately pushing Nigeria onto a slippery slope. I wonder what gives Jonathan the confidence that he can weather the harsh storm his action will indubitably induce.
But that is an issue for another day.
For now, I am more concerned about the precipitate descent of Nigeria into a state of anarchy and the hardening positions. Following the Christmas Day bombing at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, I warned that the country may inexorably be drifting towards sectarian conflict.
The reactions I got, rather than assuage my anxiety, heightened my fears. Of the numerous text messages I received, I was particularly alarmed by what one D.A. Muh’d Kano (08079962089), who sent a text message from Abuja said. “You were silent, perhaps happy when ARNAS attacked and killed helpless Muslims at Jos Eid-Praying ground. Now, the turn of the so-called Chosen ones has come, and as expected, you are now making noise through your shameless newspapers.”
Boko Haram spokesman, Abul-Qaqa, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri on telephone shortly after the attack, also claimed it was an act of reprisal to avenge the killing of some Muslims in Jos, Plateau State, during the Eid-el-Fitri festival.
Abul-Qaqa said the attacks were meant to prove that no amount of surveillance by security agents would deter his members from doing whatever they planned to do. “By the grace of God, we are responsible for all the attacks on Sunday. What we did was a reminder to all those that forgot the atrocities committed against our Muslim brothers during the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations in Jos. Muslims were killed but the Federal Government and the international community maintained sealed lips.”
Of course, this reaction came before the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, a man who delights, in my opinion, in rousing the rabble, pointedly warned that Christians in Nigeria will no longer turn the other cheek for Moslems to assault. Oritsejafor’s anger captured the outrage of millions of well-meaning Nigerians who sincerely believe that there must be an end to the orgy of bloodletting in the land.
The more than 40 people that were gruesomely murdered in Madalla had the inalienable right to life. They went to church to worship their God in peace time. Yet, they were so callously killed. How can anybody console Mrs. Chioma Dike, the woman who lost her husband and four children in the attack or Sir Emmanuel Obiukwu, the church warden who lost four children? In the twinkling of an eye, his life was turned upside. For Obiukwu’s and families, life will never be the same again. Do we as a people, Moslems and Christians, deserve this? My answer is no. it is easy for leaders to troupe to Madalla, have a photo session for the purposes of public relations and preach peace, but how can anybody convince Mr. Obiukwu or Mrs. Dike to have faith in Nigeria again?
As I appointed out last week, we are gradually inching towards sectarian strife, a slippery slope to hell. And my worst fears were confirmed after the Secretary General of a Muslim group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, addressed a press conference in Kaduna where he berated Oritsajafor for daring to warn that if the Boko Haram bombings persisted, Christians would be compelled to defend themselves.
Like Abul-Qaqa and Muh’D Kano, Aliyu confirmed that Madalla bombing was a deliberate attack on Christians. Justifying the killings and taking umbrage at those condemning the attack, Aliyu asked: “Where were they when Muslims were attacked during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration that preceded the month of Ramadan in Plateau State where Muslims were attacked, killed and maimed? Sixteen people were not only slaughtered, but roasted and eaten. Why is this thing looking like a conspiracy of silence from the media, both local and foreign? Are Muslims animals? Are they not citizens of this country? Why is it always silence when something happens against the Muslims? Who reported the Southern Kaduna genocide?”
These are very dangerous sentiments. The implication of Aliyu’s statement is that despite the denials by leaders from Nigeria’s political and religious divides that the Madalla killings had no religious undertone, the fact remains that they were indeed killed because they were Christians. It didn’t matter to those who carried out the attacks that those killed in Madalla may not have visited Plateau State in all their lives, and, therefore, had no hand in the Jos mayhem.
Sadly, the Nigerian state is showing no sign of being able to contain this threat to its very existence. And being aware of this, the Boko Haram is emboldened by the day. Last week, it gave Southerners in the North three days to leave. This threat might sound ridiculous but the fact that some people are already heeding the ultimatum shows how much faith the people have lost in the ability of the state to protect them.
Time has come for Nigerians to discuss the Nigerian project. It smacks of hypocrisy for anybody, given our dire circumstance, to still insist that Nigeria should not be discussed
(culled from Candour's Niche Daily Independent Nigeria)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR SATURDAY
NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, ON THE DEREGULATION OF THE DOWNSTREAM PETROLEUM SECTOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
___________________________________________
Dear Compatriots,
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 7, 2012
___________________________________________
Dear Compatriots,
- 1. A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.
- 2. The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future. The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.
- 3. This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress. As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.
- 4. Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel. I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.
- 5. If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government. But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.
- 6. My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.
- 7. As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked. If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.
- 8. 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. Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.
- 9. The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.
- 10. The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.
- 11. I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, that we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow. On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.
- 12. To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices. On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.
- 13. For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.
- 14. We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.
- 15. To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.
- 16. Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation. Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains. I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians. I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.
- 17. To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.
- 18. Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.
- 19. We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people. Let me thank the transporters’ associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.
- 20. In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt –Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.
- 21. Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.
- 22. Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.
- 23. This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.
- 24. I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.
- 25. As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.
- 26. Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
BOKO HARAM GENOCIDE: THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND.
One would have expected them to completely do away with everything produced in the West and through western education, and focus rather on using bows and arrows and spears to battle Nigerians and the Nigerian authorities.
They should be using donkeys and horses for their transportation, not motor cars. And they should not be using GSM phones to talk, nor should they watch television or listen to the radio. They should learn to walk their talk and show in word and deed that they are against Western education in every conceivable way.
Yet deploying weapons made through Western technology, they struck on Christmas day. They succeeded in killing about 60 innocent persons who went to church to worship and who have never hurt Boko Haram in any way. The mangled bodies! The crying children! Families wiped out! This unconscionable deed did not bother Boko Haram at all as they promptly owned up to being responsible for the mayhem.
In the aftermath of this dastardly act, Nigerians fell over themselves to criticize Boko Haram and urged that they should be brought to book. That the long arms of the law should fish them out. They made a mistake there because the law in Nigeria has very short hands and seldom catches anything apart from pickpockets and motorists. So how are we going to bring Boko Haram to book? Okay, if the law has hands and it were that easy, how come they have not been brought to book up till now.
Or what do they think President Goodluck Jonathan has been doing all the while with law enforcement agents who are brave lads when Boko Haram is not in sight. Do you think he has only been robbing his good luck charm?
The truth of the matter is that President Goodluck appears to have run out of gas in luck and the good luck has now been contaminated by some bad luck. The security agents wait for Boko Haram to strike before they react. Things have fallen apart (apologies to Prof Chinua Achebe) and the centre can no more hold. Men and women are dying. Babies and the aged are not spared. Nigeria is in a state of siege. The only safe people who may not be targeted by Boko Haram are the mad men and women.
These all of remind me of the song:
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
That song written by Bob Dylan and released in the album, “The Freewheelin” in 1963 was ranked as the fourteenth greatest song of all times in Rolling Stone magazine and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Commenting on the meaning of the phrase, ‘Blowing in the wind’ someone described it as “impenetrably ambiguous: either the answer is so obvious it is right in your face, or the answer is as intangible as the wind”. It was a protest song and it can fit comfortably into our situation.
For example, how many Nigerians must die before the Federal Government sees that the present security set up is not working? How many children must die before they can read and write at the hands of Boko Haram before we stop Boko Haram? How many times must President Jonathan hear of kidnappings, bombings and massacres before he restructures the police force? The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind.
The Nigeria Police Force had its origin in the West African Frontiers Force, which was an army of occupation set up to beat restive West African communities into shape. That mentality still pervades the police force because, as you know, when the foundation is wrong, there is nothing the righteous can do. Add to this confusion the fact that we have a central policing system in a deeply divided country.
The policemen trying to stop Boko Haram cannot obtain the required intelligence from the populace, because the people who have the information do not trust them enough to put their confidence in them. The best option is to decentralize the police force and let each state of the federation have its own police force. And at the centre you have a National Investigation Bureau, which would function like the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. It would have the power to arrest the state police chiefs if they victimize anyone and to take over cases from them where those involved in such cases appeal to them.
That might be a slightly better idea than Senate President David Mark’s call for dialogue and for peace to be obtained at any price. Peace is a commitment and should not be obtained at any price. America could not have considered dialoguing with Al Qaeda – a terrorist organization. Negotiation through blackmail might prevent a war but it would not bring peace.
Culled from The Coversation of Angry Man (Daily Independent Nigeria)
They should be using donkeys and horses for their transportation, not motor cars. And they should not be using GSM phones to talk, nor should they watch television or listen to the radio. They should learn to walk their talk and show in word and deed that they are against Western education in every conceivable way.
Yet deploying weapons made through Western technology, they struck on Christmas day. They succeeded in killing about 60 innocent persons who went to church to worship and who have never hurt Boko Haram in any way. The mangled bodies! The crying children! Families wiped out! This unconscionable deed did not bother Boko Haram at all as they promptly owned up to being responsible for the mayhem.
In the aftermath of this dastardly act, Nigerians fell over themselves to criticize Boko Haram and urged that they should be brought to book. That the long arms of the law should fish them out. They made a mistake there because the law in Nigeria has very short hands and seldom catches anything apart from pickpockets and motorists. So how are we going to bring Boko Haram to book? Okay, if the law has hands and it were that easy, how come they have not been brought to book up till now.
Or what do they think President Goodluck Jonathan has been doing all the while with law enforcement agents who are brave lads when Boko Haram is not in sight. Do you think he has only been robbing his good luck charm?
The truth of the matter is that President Goodluck appears to have run out of gas in luck and the good luck has now been contaminated by some bad luck. The security agents wait for Boko Haram to strike before they react. Things have fallen apart (apologies to Prof Chinua Achebe) and the centre can no more hold. Men and women are dying. Babies and the aged are not spared. Nigeria is in a state of siege. The only safe people who may not be targeted by Boko Haram are the mad men and women.
These all of remind me of the song:
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
That song written by Bob Dylan and released in the album, “The Freewheelin” in 1963 was ranked as the fourteenth greatest song of all times in Rolling Stone magazine and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Commenting on the meaning of the phrase, ‘Blowing in the wind’ someone described it as “impenetrably ambiguous: either the answer is so obvious it is right in your face, or the answer is as intangible as the wind”. It was a protest song and it can fit comfortably into our situation.
For example, how many Nigerians must die before the Federal Government sees that the present security set up is not working? How many children must die before they can read and write at the hands of Boko Haram before we stop Boko Haram? How many times must President Jonathan hear of kidnappings, bombings and massacres before he restructures the police force? The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind.
The Nigeria Police Force had its origin in the West African Frontiers Force, which was an army of occupation set up to beat restive West African communities into shape. That mentality still pervades the police force because, as you know, when the foundation is wrong, there is nothing the righteous can do. Add to this confusion the fact that we have a central policing system in a deeply divided country.
The policemen trying to stop Boko Haram cannot obtain the required intelligence from the populace, because the people who have the information do not trust them enough to put their confidence in them. The best option is to decentralize the police force and let each state of the federation have its own police force. And at the centre you have a National Investigation Bureau, which would function like the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. It would have the power to arrest the state police chiefs if they victimize anyone and to take over cases from them where those involved in such cases appeal to them.
That might be a slightly better idea than Senate President David Mark’s call for dialogue and for peace to be obtained at any price. Peace is a commitment and should not be obtained at any price. America could not have considered dialoguing with Al Qaeda – a terrorist organization. Negotiation through blackmail might prevent a war but it would not bring peace.
Culled from The Coversation of Angry Man (Daily Independent Nigeria)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Ministers laughing Nigerians crying.
The Nigerian government today made it abundantly clear it will not restate the subsidy on petroleum products, according to The Punch newspaper.
Following this afternoon’s emergency meeting of the Federal Executive Council, in Abuja, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, told newsmen the government was not oblivious of the pains inflicted by Nigerians as a result of the new policy.
In order to ameliorate those pains, he said the government had commenced a ‘massive mass transit scheme’ aimed at cushioning the effects of the subsidy removal on transportation. Thousands of mass transit vehicles, he claimed, would be distributed.
Mr. Maku did not say on which of Nigeria’s atrocious and crowded roads the vehicles would be driven, or who would provide security in a sector hampered by armed robbery, kidnapping and police harassment.
Curiously missing at today’s pivotal meeting were two senior officials and pillars of the new policy: Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Petroleum Minister, Dieziani Alison-Madueke
Jonathan is a perpertual liar
PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has set up a high-powered committee headed by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore to meet with organized labour and all other stakeholders with a view to resolving issues that may arise from the removal of the subsidy on petrol.Analysis: Jonathan is very good at doing this kind of appointment because he is trying to nbuy faces and be regarded as seeking counsel from the wise. That is not what Nigerians asked him to do. He shoulod have set up this committee to dialogue with all stake holders before going ahead to remove the subsidy.
President Jonathan has similarly appointed Dr. Christopher Kolade as the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Board, which is to oversee and ensure the effective and timely implementation of projects to be funded with the savings accruing to the Federal Government from subsidy removal. Major-General Mamman Kontagora (rtd.) will serve as Deputy Chairman of the Board.
Analysis: We know Kolade as man of honour and integrity, who has headed a lot of international organisation. He has to his honour the medal of the Order of St. Augustine from the Archbishop of Canterbury (1981), and is also a Lay Canon of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in the Diocese of Guildford. These are great achievements, but can he feel what that man in the street feels?
According to a statement by the Presidency yesterday, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Board will also include two representatives of the National Assembly, two representatives of organized labour, one representative of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), one representative of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, one representative of Nigerian Women Groups, one representative of Nigerian youth, one representative of civil society organisations, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Planning, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of State for Health, the Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters, and six other reputable individuals from the six geo-political zones in the country, three of whom will be women.
The statement continues: “The mandate of the Board shall be to oversee the Fund in the petroleum subsidy savings account, and the programme specifically to improve the quality of life of Nigerians in line with the Transformation agenda of Mr. President. The Board will have the following responsibilities:
(a) Determine in liaison with the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the subsidy savings estimates for each preceding month and ensure that such funds are transferred to the Funds’ Special Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria:
(b) Approve the annual work plans and cash budgets of the various Project Implementation Units (PIUs) within the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and ensure orderly disbursement of funds by the PIUs in order to certify and execute projects;
(c) Monitor and evaluate execution of the funded projects, including periodic Poverty and Social Impact Analyses (PSIA)
(d) Update the President regularly on the programme;
(e) Periodically brief the Executive Council of the Federation on the progress of the programme;
(f) Appoint consulting firms with international reputation to provide technical assistance to the Board in financial and project management;
(g) Appoint external auditors for the fund;
(h) Do such other things as are necessary or incidental to the objective of the Fund or as may be assigned by the Federal Government.”
Members of the Belgore-led committee to meet with organized labour, civil society groups and other stakeholders are: the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.
The Committee which is expected to begin its work immediately also includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi and Mrs. Ngozi Olajemi.
Analysis: And we ask, is this subsidy removal a tax? Creating a committee to manage the savings will amount to duplicating functions. Why can't the money be spread across other sectors of the economy like health, education and agriculture? There nothing to manage here because the MONEY is a part of the whole budget. it would be understood if the budget is reduced to show that the subsidy is no more reflected in the budget.
Labour orders nationwide strike as new fuel price regime begins
ALTHOUGH it is still early days, Nigerians yesterday got a taste of the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry as pump price differentiation was the order of the day in filling stations across the country.
Also, condemnation and commendation continued to trail the government’s decision to remove the subsidy on petrol.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Labour, civil society groups and others has said it would start a nationwide strike today over the removal of fuel subsidy that has pushed the price of petrol to at least N138 a litre from N65.
Apparently seeking a way to profit from the sudden inauguration of the regime, petroleum marketers in Lagos at first shut their outlets to motorists, which engendered queues at these stations.
Sensing a kill as exasperation kicked in on the public, the filling stations began to open one after the other, hiking their pump price to between N139 and N185 a litre.
However, if the filling stations had hoped to have a field day, they were mistaken as the queues soon dried up, with motorists choosing to buy products where the price was lowest. In what appears to be their reaction to this, price fluctuation kicked in as some of the stations brought their pump prices to retain patronage.
The roads in Lagos were free though, as residents kept indoors observing the holiday. Lagosians who ventured out contended with the expected hike in transportation cost of up 100 per cent. Curiously though, The Guardian noticed that some diesel-powered commercial vehicles tried to beat the competition by keeping to their usual fares.
Any fear of fuel scarcity was also doused as depot operators in Lagos continued to load products. The depot price for petrol ranged between N129 and N130.
Petrol price in Abuja yesterday hovered between N138 and N141. The development had caused a soaring of public transport costs. From Kubwa to the city centre, which hitherto attracted N100 now costs N200 while fare from Lugbe area on the airport road was N250 from N100.
Also, hitherto comatose filling stations in Dutse, Jigawa State yesterday opened up and dispensed petrol at between N140 and N150 a litre.
Some of filling the stations opened in the early hours of yesterday and sold the product at N140 but changed the prices to N150 a litre after realising that the National National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station was selling at N138 a litre. At Dutse’s motor parks, transportation fares jumped up by 120 per cent.
Passengers from Dutse to Kano paid N1,000 as against N400. Many of them were stranded following this development.
One of them, Dantiye Dauda, said: “It is really unfortunate that the current administration is not sensitive to the plight of the common man.”
In Markudi, Benue State, the few filling stations that opened for business sold petrol at N150 per litre while black marketers sold the product at N200. Several out-of-pocket travellers making for their stations preparatory to today’s work were stranded as transport fares went up at all the motor parks.
Bus drivers who usually collected N30 per drop charged N50. At the Pleasure Travels Park, a trip to Abuja now costs N3,000 as against N1,200 before now while a trip to Lagos now costs N5000 instead of N2500.
Also, a trip to Otukpo now costs N800 as against N350 while Gboko by bus which used to cost N200 now goes for between N500 and N600.
Some commuters who spoke with The Guardian decried the sudden removal of subsidy on fuel and urged the Federal Government to have a rethink and rescind its decision on the issue.
In Plateau, filling stations sold a litre of petrol for N145. In the popular black market, the price of a quarter of a litre of the commodity ranges from N400 to N700.
As a result, transport fares shot up in Jos. For example, from Angwan Rukuba to Jos Terminus, which used to be N50 is now N100, which was a common development across the city.
Opinions were divided though on the appropriateness or otherwise of the petrol subsidy removal.
“Government’s decision is very hasty and callous. Government does not have the feelings of the masses at heart. Government is just wicked,” says Martin Gijo, a taxi driver.
But the National President of Indigbo Democratic Forum (IDF), Chidi Ndu, welcomed the removal saying that the removal will boost the industries.
Petrol has suddenly disappeared from most filling stations in Benin City, Edo State while those opened for business sold the product at between N138 and N145 a litre.
The NNPC Mega Stations, which were the only stations selling for N138 in the state capital suddenly stopped selling the product at about 1 p.m. and this led to long queues building in the few that were selling.
Filling Stations in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital that hurriedly stopped selling and locked up their station on Sunday afternoon yesterday opened for business with new price regime, selling petrol at between N146 and N150 per litre.
But the NNPC Mega station and its subsidiary stations yesterday sold at N138 a litre.
The pump price hike has increased the cost of transportation in the state by 100 per cent. The commercial motorcyclist that charged N40 per drop yesterday charged N80.
Chaos broke out in Awka, the Anambra State capital yesterday when it dawned on residents that a 131 per cent increase in the price of petrol had crept on them.
Commercial bus drivers and their customers engage themselves in bitter arguments, and even fisticuffs before the situation sunk in as the day wore on, the commuters realised that the situation was the same everywhere.
A survey of the situation in Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Awka and even Enugu revealed that the pump price petrol was between N150 and N180 a litre. Many commuters were forced back home, as short distances that hitherto cost N30 became N50, and destinations that were before now N100 turned N300. Awka to Enugu, which used to be N250 is now N1,000.
Also, most filling stations within the Enugu metropolis refused to open for business, while the very few that opened sold at between N180 and N200 a litre.
Transport operators at the busy Old Park, Market Road and Holy Ghost areas made brisk business as they increased transport fares. Travellers from Enugu to Lagos paid N5,000 as against the usual N1,800 during the Yuletide celebrations. Also, transport fares to nearby places like Enugu to Onitsha, Enugu to Umuahia, Aba, or Port-Harcourt tripled.
Most of the travellers, some of who were trying to return to their bases in order to be at work today but could not afford to part with the high fares, had to return home, hoping that the costs might crash soon.
Residents of Kaduna State woke up yesterday to the increase in pump price of fuel in most of the filling stations that had locked their doors the previous day. Pump price of petrol ranged from N138 to N145 a litre.
At the black market where motorists bought petrol for convenience before the removal of the subsidy, a litre was N250 yesterday.
Cost of intra-state and inter-state transportation has also gone up by between 50 and 100 per cent in the state.
Taxi fare from Kaduna to Abuja now cost N1,500 from N1,000; Kaduna-Kano is now N1,200 from N800; Kaduna to Jos is now N2,000 as against N1,300.
A market woman, Mrs. Hannah Mark, said a crate of soft drinks that used to be N1,000 now cost N1,300.
Commuters in most cities and towns in Osun State yesterday experienced hardship due to increase in the prices of petrol and withdrawal of commercial vehicles from the roads by transporters.
When The Guardian visited filling stations in Osogbo, and some other major towns, it was discovered that few petrol stations that had fuel sold a litre of filling at between N140 and N150.
The development engendered sharp increase in transport fares. For example intra-bus fare within Osogbo, which was N30 per drop, has been increased to between N50 and N70.
Also transport fare from Osogbo to other parts of the country has gone up. Osogbo to Ikirun was N250 yesterday instead of N150, while Osogbo to Ile-Ife, which used to cost N200 attracted N400.
Most of the filling stations in Osogbo, Ikirun, Ikire, Ede, Iwo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife and other major towns in the state were closed to customers.
And, residents of Ilorin the Kwara State capital yesterday received with mixed feelings the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol.
The development led to over 120 per cent increment in transport fares. Apart from the filling stations operated by the NNPC all other stations closed their gates to customers.
A motorist told The Guardian yesterday that he had to sleep at the filling station in Itire area of Lagos, in other to get petrol immediately they opened gate in the morning. But he claimed to have bought the product at N185 per litre.
However, the depot operators are now sell the product at about N129 and N130 a litre. The Guardian’s visit to Apapa Jetty showed that loading is in progress at most of the petroleum depots.
Motorists have berated the unjust hike in the price of petrol by the marketers, noting that they were not expected to increase the price yet, because most of them were selling the existing stock, while the PPPRA directive only indicated that subsidy would not be paid on any imported products from January 1, 2011.
The letter that announced the policy by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory agency (PPPRA) had assured that the selling process would be duly monitored while prices would be non-exploitative.
It said: “Consumers are assured of adequate supply of quality products at prices that are competitive and non-exploitative and so there is no need for anyone to engage in panic buying or product hoarding.
“The PPPRA in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) will ensure that consumers are not taken advantage of in any form or in any way. The DPR will ensure that the interest of the consumer in terms of quality of products is guaranteed at all times and in line with international best practice,” it assured.
Reacting to the eventually exploitation, the DPR said they are on top of the situation, as it has deployed its officials to monitor the situation in filling stations across the country.
A top official of the DPR, Mrs. Bimbo Ogan, told The Guardian in a telephone chart yesterday that the DPR would soon come out with its official statement on the issue, but noted that it has deployed its personnel to monitor fuel distribution chains critically.
Also speaking yesterday, a reliable source from the NNPC, told The Guardian that there are sufficient products in the market attributing the scarcity to adjusting of pump prices in the filling stations from the previous ones to the current price by the marketers.
According to him, “NNPC stations sell at N138 per litre while other marketers sell between N140 and N145. We can as well relate the scarcity issue to panic buying and security threat as Labour has threatened a mass industrial action soon.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Zaid Kolawole, in a statement yesterday, said that the association rejects as totally unacceptable and a crass display of bad faith the unilateral increase in the pump price of petrol by the government in the guise of ‘subsidy removal.
He emphasised that it is a reinforcement of the government’s huge credibility deficit that only a few days after the Minister of Finance, Okonjo Iweala stated publicly that no date had been fixed for the so-called ‘subsidy removal’ and that government would further consult with all stakeholders, the same government through the PPPRA could turn around on new year’s day and increase petrol prices stating unashamedly that this latest round of fuel price increase “follows extensive consultation with stakeholders”.
According to Ogun, “the PPPRA Executive Secretary should tell Nigerians when the Board of the agency of which we are a statutory member met to decide on this policy knowing fully well that the board is yet to be reconstituted
“It is very unfortunate that the only ‘gift’ government can give to long-suffering Nigerians in this new year and season of goodwill is the poisoned chalice of fuel price increase.
He stated that the association reiterates its resolution at its last NEC meeting in Warri, Delta State on November 30th, 2011 that government puts in place certain irreducible minimums and reduce its recurrent expenditure by at least 25 per cent before contemplating any removal of subsidy.
“We insist that government exists for the people and their welfare and security should be its paramount concern. Our government should therefore work for us and not the IMF and World Bank as the organs of the association will be meeting soon to finalise plans and strategies to ensure that government reverses this patently anti-people policy.
“We therefore urge all Nigerians to gird their loins and begin immediate mobilisation for the struggle ahead aimed at ensuring that this exploitative policy designed to further impoverish Nigerian workers and masses does not stand,” he said.
Also, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has flayed the Federal Government’s removal of the subsidy on petrol, describing the decision as “complete insensitivity” to the articulated views of the Nigerian masses.
ERA/FoEN, in a statement yesterday, insisted that the subsidy removal, which the PPPRA dubbed national consultation on which it based the decision to remove the so-called subsidy, was a crude smokescreen to usher in a new era of impoverishment for Nigerians.
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Nnimmo Bassey stated: “This new year slap on the faces of Nigerians is totally objectionable and smacks of insensitivity to the genuine needs of the Nigerian masses. It shows a government that would rather punish the poor than confront the cabal they say exists in the petroleum sector.”
Countering government’s argument that the central purse subsidises the cost of petroleum products import, Bassey insisted that, on the contrary, it is community people living side-by-side the oil fields and the Nigerian environment that actually subsidize the cost of crude and refined products.
He noted: “Enough is enough! The poor and the environment have sufficiently subsidised resource corruption and through environmental impacts and loss of livelihoods. Ninety-nine per cent of the population is again being forced to bear the brunt of corrupt practices enjoyed by the one per cent.”
Also, condemnation and commendation continued to trail the government’s decision to remove the subsidy on petrol.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Labour, civil society groups and others has said it would start a nationwide strike today over the removal of fuel subsidy that has pushed the price of petrol to at least N138 a litre from N65.
Apparently seeking a way to profit from the sudden inauguration of the regime, petroleum marketers in Lagos at first shut their outlets to motorists, which engendered queues at these stations.
Sensing a kill as exasperation kicked in on the public, the filling stations began to open one after the other, hiking their pump price to between N139 and N185 a litre.
However, if the filling stations had hoped to have a field day, they were mistaken as the queues soon dried up, with motorists choosing to buy products where the price was lowest. In what appears to be their reaction to this, price fluctuation kicked in as some of the stations brought their pump prices to retain patronage.
The roads in Lagos were free though, as residents kept indoors observing the holiday. Lagosians who ventured out contended with the expected hike in transportation cost of up 100 per cent. Curiously though, The Guardian noticed that some diesel-powered commercial vehicles tried to beat the competition by keeping to their usual fares.
Any fear of fuel scarcity was also doused as depot operators in Lagos continued to load products. The depot price for petrol ranged between N129 and N130.
Petrol price in Abuja yesterday hovered between N138 and N141. The development had caused a soaring of public transport costs. From Kubwa to the city centre, which hitherto attracted N100 now costs N200 while fare from Lugbe area on the airport road was N250 from N100.
Also, hitherto comatose filling stations in Dutse, Jigawa State yesterday opened up and dispensed petrol at between N140 and N150 a litre.
Some of filling the stations opened in the early hours of yesterday and sold the product at N140 but changed the prices to N150 a litre after realising that the National National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station was selling at N138 a litre. At Dutse’s motor parks, transportation fares jumped up by 120 per cent.
Passengers from Dutse to Kano paid N1,000 as against N400. Many of them were stranded following this development.
One of them, Dantiye Dauda, said: “It is really unfortunate that the current administration is not sensitive to the plight of the common man.”
In Markudi, Benue State, the few filling stations that opened for business sold petrol at N150 per litre while black marketers sold the product at N200. Several out-of-pocket travellers making for their stations preparatory to today’s work were stranded as transport fares went up at all the motor parks.
Bus drivers who usually collected N30 per drop charged N50. At the Pleasure Travels Park, a trip to Abuja now costs N3,000 as against N1,200 before now while a trip to Lagos now costs N5000 instead of N2500.
Also, a trip to Otukpo now costs N800 as against N350 while Gboko by bus which used to cost N200 now goes for between N500 and N600.
Some commuters who spoke with The Guardian decried the sudden removal of subsidy on fuel and urged the Federal Government to have a rethink and rescind its decision on the issue.
In Plateau, filling stations sold a litre of petrol for N145. In the popular black market, the price of a quarter of a litre of the commodity ranges from N400 to N700.
As a result, transport fares shot up in Jos. For example, from Angwan Rukuba to Jos Terminus, which used to be N50 is now N100, which was a common development across the city.
Opinions were divided though on the appropriateness or otherwise of the petrol subsidy removal.
“Government’s decision is very hasty and callous. Government does not have the feelings of the masses at heart. Government is just wicked,” says Martin Gijo, a taxi driver.
But the National President of Indigbo Democratic Forum (IDF), Chidi Ndu, welcomed the removal saying that the removal will boost the industries.
Petrol has suddenly disappeared from most filling stations in Benin City, Edo State while those opened for business sold the product at between N138 and N145 a litre.
The NNPC Mega Stations, which were the only stations selling for N138 in the state capital suddenly stopped selling the product at about 1 p.m. and this led to long queues building in the few that were selling.
Filling Stations in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital that hurriedly stopped selling and locked up their station on Sunday afternoon yesterday opened for business with new price regime, selling petrol at between N146 and N150 per litre.
But the NNPC Mega station and its subsidiary stations yesterday sold at N138 a litre.
The pump price hike has increased the cost of transportation in the state by 100 per cent. The commercial motorcyclist that charged N40 per drop yesterday charged N80.
Chaos broke out in Awka, the Anambra State capital yesterday when it dawned on residents that a 131 per cent increase in the price of petrol had crept on them.
Commercial bus drivers and their customers engage themselves in bitter arguments, and even fisticuffs before the situation sunk in as the day wore on, the commuters realised that the situation was the same everywhere.
A survey of the situation in Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Awka and even Enugu revealed that the pump price petrol was between N150 and N180 a litre. Many commuters were forced back home, as short distances that hitherto cost N30 became N50, and destinations that were before now N100 turned N300. Awka to Enugu, which used to be N250 is now N1,000.
Also, most filling stations within the Enugu metropolis refused to open for business, while the very few that opened sold at between N180 and N200 a litre.
Transport operators at the busy Old Park, Market Road and Holy Ghost areas made brisk business as they increased transport fares. Travellers from Enugu to Lagos paid N5,000 as against the usual N1,800 during the Yuletide celebrations. Also, transport fares to nearby places like Enugu to Onitsha, Enugu to Umuahia, Aba, or Port-Harcourt tripled.
Most of the travellers, some of who were trying to return to their bases in order to be at work today but could not afford to part with the high fares, had to return home, hoping that the costs might crash soon.
Residents of Kaduna State woke up yesterday to the increase in pump price of fuel in most of the filling stations that had locked their doors the previous day. Pump price of petrol ranged from N138 to N145 a litre.
At the black market where motorists bought petrol for convenience before the removal of the subsidy, a litre was N250 yesterday.
Cost of intra-state and inter-state transportation has also gone up by between 50 and 100 per cent in the state.
Taxi fare from Kaduna to Abuja now cost N1,500 from N1,000; Kaduna-Kano is now N1,200 from N800; Kaduna to Jos is now N2,000 as against N1,300.
A market woman, Mrs. Hannah Mark, said a crate of soft drinks that used to be N1,000 now cost N1,300.
Commuters in most cities and towns in Osun State yesterday experienced hardship due to increase in the prices of petrol and withdrawal of commercial vehicles from the roads by transporters.
When The Guardian visited filling stations in Osogbo, and some other major towns, it was discovered that few petrol stations that had fuel sold a litre of filling at between N140 and N150.
The development engendered sharp increase in transport fares. For example intra-bus fare within Osogbo, which was N30 per drop, has been increased to between N50 and N70.
Also transport fare from Osogbo to other parts of the country has gone up. Osogbo to Ikirun was N250 yesterday instead of N150, while Osogbo to Ile-Ife, which used to cost N200 attracted N400.
Most of the filling stations in Osogbo, Ikirun, Ikire, Ede, Iwo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife and other major towns in the state were closed to customers.
And, residents of Ilorin the Kwara State capital yesterday received with mixed feelings the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol.
The development led to over 120 per cent increment in transport fares. Apart from the filling stations operated by the NNPC all other stations closed their gates to customers.
A motorist told The Guardian yesterday that he had to sleep at the filling station in Itire area of Lagos, in other to get petrol immediately they opened gate in the morning. But he claimed to have bought the product at N185 per litre.
However, the depot operators are now sell the product at about N129 and N130 a litre. The Guardian’s visit to Apapa Jetty showed that loading is in progress at most of the petroleum depots.
Motorists have berated the unjust hike in the price of petrol by the marketers, noting that they were not expected to increase the price yet, because most of them were selling the existing stock, while the PPPRA directive only indicated that subsidy would not be paid on any imported products from January 1, 2011.
The letter that announced the policy by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory agency (PPPRA) had assured that the selling process would be duly monitored while prices would be non-exploitative.
It said: “Consumers are assured of adequate supply of quality products at prices that are competitive and non-exploitative and so there is no need for anyone to engage in panic buying or product hoarding.
“The PPPRA in conjunction with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) will ensure that consumers are not taken advantage of in any form or in any way. The DPR will ensure that the interest of the consumer in terms of quality of products is guaranteed at all times and in line with international best practice,” it assured.
Reacting to the eventually exploitation, the DPR said they are on top of the situation, as it has deployed its officials to monitor the situation in filling stations across the country.
A top official of the DPR, Mrs. Bimbo Ogan, told The Guardian in a telephone chart yesterday that the DPR would soon come out with its official statement on the issue, but noted that it has deployed its personnel to monitor fuel distribution chains critically.
Also speaking yesterday, a reliable source from the NNPC, told The Guardian that there are sufficient products in the market attributing the scarcity to adjusting of pump prices in the filling stations from the previous ones to the current price by the marketers.
According to him, “NNPC stations sell at N138 per litre while other marketers sell between N140 and N145. We can as well relate the scarcity issue to panic buying and security threat as Labour has threatened a mass industrial action soon.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Zaid Kolawole, in a statement yesterday, said that the association rejects as totally unacceptable and a crass display of bad faith the unilateral increase in the pump price of petrol by the government in the guise of ‘subsidy removal.
He emphasised that it is a reinforcement of the government’s huge credibility deficit that only a few days after the Minister of Finance, Okonjo Iweala stated publicly that no date had been fixed for the so-called ‘subsidy removal’ and that government would further consult with all stakeholders, the same government through the PPPRA could turn around on new year’s day and increase petrol prices stating unashamedly that this latest round of fuel price increase “follows extensive consultation with stakeholders”.
According to Ogun, “the PPPRA Executive Secretary should tell Nigerians when the Board of the agency of which we are a statutory member met to decide on this policy knowing fully well that the board is yet to be reconstituted
“It is very unfortunate that the only ‘gift’ government can give to long-suffering Nigerians in this new year and season of goodwill is the poisoned chalice of fuel price increase.
He stated that the association reiterates its resolution at its last NEC meeting in Warri, Delta State on November 30th, 2011 that government puts in place certain irreducible minimums and reduce its recurrent expenditure by at least 25 per cent before contemplating any removal of subsidy.
“We insist that government exists for the people and their welfare and security should be its paramount concern. Our government should therefore work for us and not the IMF and World Bank as the organs of the association will be meeting soon to finalise plans and strategies to ensure that government reverses this patently anti-people policy.
“We therefore urge all Nigerians to gird their loins and begin immediate mobilisation for the struggle ahead aimed at ensuring that this exploitative policy designed to further impoverish Nigerian workers and masses does not stand,” he said.
Also, the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has flayed the Federal Government’s removal of the subsidy on petrol, describing the decision as “complete insensitivity” to the articulated views of the Nigerian masses.
ERA/FoEN, in a statement yesterday, insisted that the subsidy removal, which the PPPRA dubbed national consultation on which it based the decision to remove the so-called subsidy, was a crude smokescreen to usher in a new era of impoverishment for Nigerians.
ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Nnimmo Bassey stated: “This new year slap on the faces of Nigerians is totally objectionable and smacks of insensitivity to the genuine needs of the Nigerian masses. It shows a government that would rather punish the poor than confront the cabal they say exists in the petroleum sector.”
Countering government’s argument that the central purse subsidises the cost of petroleum products import, Bassey insisted that, on the contrary, it is community people living side-by-side the oil fields and the Nigerian environment that actually subsidize the cost of crude and refined products.
He noted: “Enough is enough! The poor and the environment have sufficiently subsidised resource corruption and through environmental impacts and loss of livelihoods. Ninety-nine per cent of the population is again being forced to bear the brunt of corrupt practices enjoyed by the one per cent.”
Nigeria union chiefs urge general strike amid fuel protests
NLC and TUC Nigeria's main trade union groups called Wednesday for a general strike and mass
rallies beginning next week if a controversial government decision to take away
fuel subsidies is not reversed.
Angry protests took place Tuesday after gas prices more than doubled following the subsidies' removal Sunday.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Cabinet ministers were meeting in the capital, Abuja, Wednesday to discuss their response to the crisis.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged the government to immediately restore the subsidies -- or see the country grind to a halt starting January 9.
"We call on all Nigerians to participate actively in this movement to rescue our country. The emphasis is on peaceful protests, rallies and strikes while refusing to be intimidated," the unions' statement says.
It also calls on "the police, armed forces and other security agencies to reject orders that they turn their weapons on fellow Nigerians."
The unions accused police of using "unprecedented force" against peaceful protests held this week, leading to harassment, intimidation and arrests. Eyewitnesses told NaijaRevolt the demonstrations have been largely peaceful.
NLC leader Abdulwaheed Omar said all sectors of the economy would be paralyzed, beginning Monday.
"We shall shut down all petrol stations, banks, markets and every business premises to achieve our goal," he said. "This strike will be indefinite."
The unions' statement urges Nigerians to stock up on basic necessities, including food and water, ahead of the industrial action.
The cost of a liter of gasoline shot up from 65 naira (40¢) to at least 141 naira (86¢) almost overnight after the subsidies were removed Sunday.
Nigerians say this is the last straw in a country rich with oil reserves but with poor infrastructure, wide corruption and huge numbers of impoverished citizens.
Union leaders say Nigerian workers are already experiencing unnecessary hardship as a result of the move, which they say is also affecting the cost of transport, food, medicine, rent and school fees.
The government says it believes the removal of fuel subsidies will have a positive impact on the country's economy. It argues the money saved will be used to invest elsewhere, such as in refineries.
Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria -- a country of 167 million people -- has no functioning refineries and has to import fuel.
Freelance journalist Eromo Egbejule, 21, joined a portion of a march from Lagos to the city of Ojota Wednesday.
"People were protesting because thanks to this policy, the cost of living has skyrocketed," he said. "Everything is now double its price. Or triple. They were saying their minds."
He saw banners with slogans such as "We want good governance, not good luck," a play on the president's name, and "Tunisia will be child's play," an apparent reference to the ouster of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali last year amid mass street protests.
Car tires were set alight and gas stations blockaded in some places Tuesday. Video footage showed black smoke rising above crowds of marchers carrying placards or chanting, many of them young men.
Alex Omamuli, a 35-year-old civil service worker from Abuja, accused the government of using force to try to stifle legitimate protest.
"Please let the world know that we have a right to demonstrate peacefully but our government shot tear gas at innocent, peaceful protesters," he said.
"We, the youths of Nigeria, won't stop until this insensitive and wicked act is reversed."
Another Reporter, who asked to remain anonymous, took part in protests in Lagos, the country's economic capital.
"The aim of the protest was to disrupt vehicular movement, shut down gas stations, and ask people to go back home," he said. "The mood was one of anger and frustration towards the government for doing this on New Year's Day."
Angry protests took place Tuesday after gas prices more than doubled following the subsidies' removal Sunday.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Cabinet ministers were meeting in the capital, Abuja, Wednesday to discuss their response to the crisis.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trades Union Congress (TUC) urged the government to immediately restore the subsidies -- or see the country grind to a halt starting January 9.
"We call on all Nigerians to participate actively in this movement to rescue our country. The emphasis is on peaceful protests, rallies and strikes while refusing to be intimidated," the unions' statement says.
It also calls on "the police, armed forces and other security agencies to reject orders that they turn their weapons on fellow Nigerians."
The unions accused police of using "unprecedented force" against peaceful protests held this week, leading to harassment, intimidation and arrests. Eyewitnesses told NaijaRevolt the demonstrations have been largely peaceful.
NLC leader Abdulwaheed Omar said all sectors of the economy would be paralyzed, beginning Monday.
"We shall shut down all petrol stations, banks, markets and every business premises to achieve our goal," he said. "This strike will be indefinite."
The unions' statement urges Nigerians to stock up on basic necessities, including food and water, ahead of the industrial action.
The cost of a liter of gasoline shot up from 65 naira (40¢) to at least 141 naira (86¢) almost overnight after the subsidies were removed Sunday.
Nigerians say this is the last straw in a country rich with oil reserves but with poor infrastructure, wide corruption and huge numbers of impoverished citizens.
Union leaders say Nigerian workers are already experiencing unnecessary hardship as a result of the move, which they say is also affecting the cost of transport, food, medicine, rent and school fees.
The government says it believes the removal of fuel subsidies will have a positive impact on the country's economy. It argues the money saved will be used to invest elsewhere, such as in refineries.
Despite being one of Africa's largest oil producers, Nigeria -- a country of 167 million people -- has no functioning refineries and has to import fuel.
Freelance journalist Eromo Egbejule, 21, joined a portion of a march from Lagos to the city of Ojota Wednesday.
"People were protesting because thanks to this policy, the cost of living has skyrocketed," he said. "Everything is now double its price. Or triple. They were saying their minds."
He saw banners with slogans such as "We want good governance, not good luck," a play on the president's name, and "Tunisia will be child's play," an apparent reference to the ouster of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali last year amid mass street protests.
Car tires were set alight and gas stations blockaded in some places Tuesday. Video footage showed black smoke rising above crowds of marchers carrying placards or chanting, many of them young men.
Alex Omamuli, a 35-year-old civil service worker from Abuja, accused the government of using force to try to stifle legitimate protest.
"Please let the world know that we have a right to demonstrate peacefully but our government shot tear gas at innocent, peaceful protesters," he said.
"We, the youths of Nigeria, won't stop until this insensitive and wicked act is reversed."
Another Reporter, who asked to remain anonymous, took part in protests in Lagos, the country's economic capital.
"The aim of the protest was to disrupt vehicular movement, shut down gas stations, and ask people to go back home," he said. "The mood was one of anger and frustration towards the government for doing this on New Year's Day."
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