Obj, Insensitive to the Plight of Nigerians.

(From The News (Nigeria) - AAGM)

Byline: Desmond Utomwen

Nasiru Garba Dantiye, All Nigeria People's Party, ANPP House of Representatives Member From Jigawa State, Condemns the Incessant Increase in the Prices of Petroleum Products. He Accused President Olusegun Obasanjo of Not Having the Interest of the Nation At Heart. He Spoke With Desmond Utomwen

How would you describe the recent fuel price increase and the strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the civil society groups?

My belief is that the Federal Government has either of these two problems or both. It is either the Federal Government does not understand the problems of the Nigerian masses or it does not have sympathy for the cause of the masses. The Federal Government is always talking about reforms and about beautiful macro economic theories on papers. They just want to make the World Bank feel that we are conforming with their dictates and protecting their interest. Yet nothing is being done to abate the plight of the common man, whose interest the government is supposed to protect at all times. But it is now obvious that the federal government is not ready to address the predicament of the ordinary Nigerians by providing them food, security, employment and other basic necessities. Unfortunately for the masses, the government doesn't bother how they feel about its policies. It is a case of "to hell with the masses". I don't see the rationale behind the government forcing Nigerians to pay international market price for petroleum products. The same federal government does not pay salary at international rate to the few who are working with it, not to talk of the larger percentage who are not employed at all. What does the government think about those Nigerians who are only farmers and petty traders? How does the government expect them to pay international market price of oil? I think it is totally irresponsible for the government to think that since oil is selling for $50 per barrel due to the crisis in Iraq and Rivers, Nigerians must pay that. It doesn't speak well. If you take the so called liberalisation, deregulation or whatever they call it and put it on the table, you will find out that the way it is being implemented is faulty. Deregulation is good, only if you play by the rules.

Why must we import fuel in the first place? These problems will continue for as long as our refineries remain in bad shape. The government claimed to have spent several billions of naira on the repair and maintenance of the refineries. Yet, they are not working. Why are they not working? We should ask. Deregulation and liberalisation is supposed to open up the market and to attract foreign investors to bring in money to the downstream sector. But I will tell you that no foreign investor is going to bring his money to the downstream until the federal government is able to deal with the militants whom it has described as rascals or hooligans or whatever. If government, with all its might, cannot curb the militants, then you must not expect anybody to come ...