By Usman Abdullahi Koli.
Let me start by making clarification with respect to my headline. Deliberately, I prefer to refer president Buhari as “Minister Buhari”, because I believe fully that most Nigerians have forgotten that the president is as well the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
It is oblivious the country we live in and call a mother has no sympathy for us. This is not to attribute the aforementioned to the country as a land but, rather to the poor leadership by callous leaders we produced over the last few years.
At this crucial situation we find ourselves in, when many pandemics, ranging from Covid-19 to hunger, insecurity, corruption, among other terrible issues touch us negatively, the Government in the country is also inflicting difficulties on the poor masses. The saddest part of it is, this is the Government that the poor Nigerians have had so much faith in it, ever since Nigeria came into being.
To make my writing precise, let me only focus on the democratic era from 1999 to date, in order to compare and illustrate the fuel hikes issues and its effects as well as other issues inflicting difficulty on the common man.
In the year 2000, a year after the nation’s democratic rule, under the then President Obasanjo, the petrol price was at N22 per litre. In June 2002, it was increased to N26 per litre and in june 23rd, 2003 it was increased to N40 in 2004. later increased to N50 per liter again. Obasanjo in the same year increased it to N65. In May 2007, Nigerians bought the fuel at 75 naira per litre, that was when the masses protested against the hiked price.
When the Late president Yar’adua took over the mantle of leadership, he reduced it to N65 per litre and it remained the first administration to had not increased the fuel price untill on January 1, 2012 under President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal government announced fuel subsidy which makes it necessary to increase the price to N141 per litre. As usual, the public staged another protests, which forced the government to reduce the price to N97 per litre.
On 18 january, 2015 the international market for crude oil crashed down. Then the former minister of petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke announced the reduction of the price to N87 per litre.
After Buhari took over, the fuel subsidy was removed, which brought about an overnight increase of the price to N145 per litre. The then State Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachiku clarified that, the increase was meant to balance the differences Nigerians pay to buy oil from the marketers. Surprisingly, rather than Nigerians protest this increase as usual, they jubilated because of the intensity of their loyalty to the President.
Accordingly, in March 2020 after collapsed in the crude oil businesses in the international market, Pump Price of Premium Motor sprit ( Known as Petrol) reduced from N145 to N125 per litre. A month later, The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced new pump price band to about N121 to N123 per litre.
Subsequently, on Wednesday September 2nd 2020, a new petrol price was announced by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company(PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC. Thee price was increased to N151. 56 per litre. It took effect immediately according to the Statement obtained by newsmen from the PPMC. This development had taken Nigerians by surprise and triggered reactions. In the same vein, there is also electricity tariff increase.
To be sincere, since a couple of years back, there have been efforts made to compare the Agricultural sector with the petroleum sector. But that has not been achieved, because if one compares the hiking of prices in both the sectors which are most used by the masses, it would be considered a shadow effort.
We all know the economic hardship ravaging the world because of the pandemic, here in my country we suffer a lot in the hand of hunger, insecurity, among other issues threatening the fabric of our social structure. These among other numerous challenges make things look so unfortunate.
There is no doubt, the federal government is taking bold steps to resuscitate the country for the betterment of all. Indeed, the President has put in place measures to ensure success in many angles such as the implementation of the N30 thousand minimum wage from N18. to 30,000 thousand.
Things were thought to be normal after the increment but, some issues along the line became obstacle; a cup of local rice is currently sold at N700, a cup of maize is N250 to N300. With N30,000 as minimum wage, a family man may end of saving nothing at the end of the month after feeding his family. Imagine someone going to work place from his house, a car owner may spend N500 to buy fuel. When the transformer fee is aggregated at the end of the month, how much will he save in his salary?
Now with the situation on ground, electricity tariff has also been hiked by the authority, what could happen to a common man living in the rural area, who can’t afford to pay even the old bill let alone the new one. Seriously, the situation has become worrisome.
Undoubtedly, the increment in the pump price will not only touch those working in the system of government but, it will also rigorously bring dismay and another set of hardship. Because by increasing the price of fuel, automatically the price of essential commodities will be hiked, commercial motors, tricycles and okada riders, shop owners, business partners will boost up amounts of their goods and fares, thereby adding pain to the hardship strikes again.
Moreover, the increase will bring drastic setback to households’ needs and that will lead to broken homes, Some Nigerians still have the hope of change, let the hope still remains.
I’m confident that the increment perhaps, will have its good impact as we hope everything the government does, is in the interest and for the betterment of the its subjects. But at this critical condition, its not the right time to take such decisions. No matter what, the reactions of the people indicated their discontent.
However, the confidence reposed in this administration is still intact but, only quicker response to such issues will bring succor and solace to the people. My plea now goes to the Federal government to reconsider these decisions and wait for the right moment, if the increment as a reason is necessary. During the campaign promises b we won’t remember previous administration management.
Subsequently, the NLC has threatened strike, saying Buhari had betrayed Nigerians trust. In the same vein, in osogbo protest hits over fuel hike and electricity tariff. The actions taken by both seems good, but to protest is not the way out for now.
The Government should note that the masses are still having confidence in them by solidarity, dedication but such setback would bring dismay and may trigger chaos protests. For that, therefore, those close to the president and minister of Petroleum Resources, should advice him to synergise with experts to be dealing with the oil change.
As it is now, the president always claims not to be aware of what’s happening in the country. Recently he said he was shocked at the hike of food price in the country. Long back, he said he was shocked knowing the country’s situation of insecurity. If the president is serious, we want to see proactive measures Being taken.
To all other stakeholders who in one way or the other have vital roles to play, please consider the matter as an urgent one; remember if it is you there today, tomorrow may be others turn and not all are forgivable.
Dear businesses people who are, in any way, involved, I urge you to resolve and ensure a meaningful price of essentials for ease purchase by the public. That will be remembered and appreciated.
Usman Abdullahi Koli, writes from Mass Communication Department, Abubakar Tatari Ali polytechnic, Bauchi.
mernoukoli@gmail.com
