FUEL SUBSIDY ON MY MIND

(written on January 16,2012)
For the past ten days I have listened to the rhetorics and the actions of the anti fuel subsidy protesters. To be clear, every Nigerian has the right to peacefully and responsibly protest any action of government that they disagree with. And it is clear that there are credible Nigerians who are sincerely using these protests to register their genuine opposition to aspects of the fuel subsidy removal policy. But what I have found most troubling is the fact that some of the statements and proclamations of a sizeable number of the so-called anti fuel subsidy removal protesters betray, one: a worrying lack of understanding of the facts regarding the fuel subsidy removal policy. Two, an unfortunate descent to the narrow streets of name calling and mudslinging on the revered office and person of the President of Nigeria. Three, an opportunistic politicization and personalization of a purely economic matter. And finally, an absence of any solemn effort geared towards throwing up useful solutions and policy alternatives. The truth is that President Jonathan has shown uncommon courage and character in removin the fuel subsidy on petrol. He has equally demonstrated remarkable leadership in responding to the cries of Nigerians by reducing the pump price to N97 amongst other palliatives already announced. A woman who choses to have a new born child must necessarily be ready to bear the pains of pregnancy and childbirth. President Jonathan campaigned on the promise of transforming nigeria and we massively and overwhelmingly voted him into power to transform Nigeria. Do we in all honesty expect that the surgical economic operations that will be carried out to achieve the desired tranformation of our country will succesfully occur without any temporary pains, inconveniences, sacrifices and hardships. Let us not cut our nose to spite our face. Let us think and reflect deeply on the facts, the realities and the condition of our country. Nigeria has all that it takes to be great and meet the vision 20.2020 goal. But we as ordinary Nigerians must be willing and ready to play our part while holding our leaders accountable to provide transparent and development oriented leadership. Refusing to deregulate the petroleum downstream sector today is like telling your doctor to defer to tommorrow a life saving surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in your brain. There is need for an impassionate and patriotic debate on the fuel subsidy issue. We need to take the destiny of our country seriously and stop making careless statements that neither resolve our economic challeges nor move us any nearer to our develoment and governance objectives