HARD CHOICES FOR HARD TIMES

This is not the best of times for Nigeria and Nigerians. Indeed, the boys are not smiling just as the ladies are not. The men and women are equally groaning. Everything that could get worse is getting worse; and for the first time; I believe all Nigerians (rich or poor) know that they are not insulated from government policies. As if this is not enough, the Buhari President has just embarked on the deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector which is like making Nigerians to go from frying pan to fire; though there is no denying the fact that this government meant well, but is good intention enough to assuage the feelings and pains of the people?

Over the couple of days, I have read online and my social media apps have been agog with a lot of articles and comments. The more I read, the more I feel the dilemma of Nigerians and the government. The question is where do we go from here?

To be more specific, is the removal of subsidy the right thing to do in the light of the present economic realities? The answer is neither here nor there. As a Nigerian who buy things from local shops, I have seen the exponential effect of subsidy removals not only now but all the times these have been done by successive regimes. This is because, every price that could go up will go up; but am equally well-informed of the notorious activities of the fuel cabals who are willing to hold the country to ransom.

By the way, what is subsidy? It is a relieve grant usually in monetary term by the government to an individual or a body with a few to reduce the price at which a product is sold or service is rendered in the market. 

Whenever subsidies are removed, those who suffered most are the salaries earners. This is because their income is fixed. The business men and women will only sell what they buy though they are likely to be affected by poor sales as result of decrease in the disposable income of individuals. So in the end, no ones is insulated.

On the part of the government, I do not envy Mr President. Becoming a President of Nigeria in this 'audacious' moment is not a tea party though great leaders are known by their ability to solve great problems. Otherwise, names like Franklin Roosevelt who was the President of USA during the Great Depression of the 1930's would not have been heard; and Winston Churchill who took Britain to World War II would not have been counted.

Sincerely what make great leaders is their ability to make right choices which most cases are hard choices though on the face value may look unattractive and unacceptable but in the long run it will certainly worth it. It is on this note, I found the removal of subsidy a welcome development. It does not follow logic that a few cabals continue to milk the country dry in the name of subsidy by either diverting the products to other countries after importation to the country or making unsubstantiated claim for subsidy payment for products which were not imported in the first instance.

But some may ask, should the whole country perish because of a few cabals? What happens to government apparatus for checkmating fraud? How do the government want workers to survive without palliative measures? Why can the refineries work? Is removal of subsidy the only way out of this present economic logjam? These and many more questions beg for answers.

According to analysts, the interplay of the forces of demand and supply should make the price to go down in the near future, but how soon with this be especially considering the facts that the country currently has problem of foreign exchange. It is hope that in the long run, we should all not be dead before the government economic policies begin to yield appreciable result.

Perhaps, if the power situation has improved, the inimical effect of this price hike would not have been felt much; but as it is, the power situation is also not improving due to sabotage. Then, we make ask: are we a cursed people; how come we are always one leg forward, two steps backward?

Yet in the midst of all this perilous moment, I see the dawn of a new Nigeria if the government in power will not only make hard choices, but ensure it is followed to the latter. To this extent, I appeal to the civil society to sheath their swords by not embarking on strike to allow this policy to have it way. God bless my country Nigeria.