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Friday 13 January 2012

GREED ONE BIG PROBLEM IN NIGERIA

1. If we produce 2.4 million barrels of crude per day and sell everything at $70 (Nigeria's budgeted price of crude) with the former exchange rate of #130 to the Dollar, that was in effect for a long period of time, we will make #7,971,600,000,000 (#7.9716 trillion).
2. If we produce 2.4 million barrels of crude per day and sell everything at $70 (Nigeria's budgeted price of crude) with the exchange rate of #160 to the Dollar, that is in effect now, we will make #9,811,200,000,000 (#9.8112 trillion).
3. The CBN Governor said the #1.43 trillion was for subsidy for January to September 2011 during the 'town hall' meeting. He did not say it was for the whole year of 2011, so three months are not accounted for in this amount. The FG is now bandying this figure as what they will make per year if subsidy is removed from PMS. January to September is 3/4 of a year, so this amount of #1.43 trillion is three quarters of the whole money. Invariably we can infer that the total money is in the tune of #1.906 trillion. Why is the Govt. now talking of dividing 1.43 instead of 1.9 trillion. They have never been truthful.
4. As a mother 2b, if armed robbers came to my house and are beating me to give them money, I will not tell them to go to my children's room to beat them and collect money from them. I'd rather, bear the beating for my children. The FG says they pay these amounts to those who bring in the PMS as subsidies and it is hurting them. Now the FG wants us to pay these same people, who they claim are corrupt, without bringing anyone to book.
5. The FG says in 24months the three existing refineries will be back to 90%. The FG also says if we continue paying subsidies, in 5years we will be broke. I say continue paying these subsidies for the 24months, while planning a phased removal of subsidy from that time or even complete removal of subsidy for PMS.
6. It is not weakness if a President does what the people want. It is folly if a President does what a very few want.

Thursday 12 January 2012

Fuel Subsidy: When the return to status quo is not the victory desired!

The question running through my head right now is what should happen if the Federal Government of Nigeria rescinds its decision on the “fuel pricing methodology” (subsidy or no subsidy, this how I understand what is happening. This is another conversation for a different time) as was announced on the 1st of January 2012? Should the streets suddenly go empty and should we all heave a sigh of relief?



What the president has unconsciously done with the announcement on removal of subsidy is to stoke up a delicacy of underlying issues that has bedevilled the country (and to be fair, not entirely the making of this current administration) for such a long time.  I will not go into all of the issues as I intend to keep this write-up as short as possible.



I have great respect for Ngozi both in her personal achievement on the international stage at the World Bank and in her first stint as a Minister of the Federal Republic (and of course the not too fancy return to her motherland in a time when trust in the institutions of government is at its lowest). Sanusi’s impact in building on Soludo’s foundation on the Nigerian Banking industry is also worth taking note of (notwithstanding any misgivings one may have in some aspects of execution of the banking reforms); his contribution cannot be denied even from the worst cynic. But that said, having these two individuals as the mouthpiece of the government and at the forefront of the current imbroglio is a square peg in a square hole, but they are standing on a one-leg stool. We appreciate what you have both done for this country and in many instances you do inspire some of us, but on this issue of removing the subsidy (if the fuel subsidy is actually a subsidy in the first place) based on the arguments you have put forward, kindly indulge us if we disagree with your solution (particularly the priority ranking of your policy instruments) to the fundamental problem we have as a country.



I don’t want to bore with analysis here as inherently I may betray the anger being expressed on the streets, but let me add to this debate by proposing in a very limited way here how I think the current issues should be looked at and conversations beyond this stage should be guided going forward (whether the follow-up conversations will be on the streets or at a possible negotiation platform between the Government and the Nigerian people).



Should Jonathan withdraw his earlier pronouncement and revert Petrol pump price back to N65/litre, I suggest we take note of the the following:



The Government (All Levels)

Draw up a list of priorities that can be realistically accomplished in the next twenty-four months. These priorities should lay a foundation that allows for Nigerians to easily mitigate the effect of a full/partial deregulated downstream sector (remember Nigerians currently subsidise the government by providing for everything else for themselves like water, power, security etc. What you think we “under-pay” for in petrol prices, we “over-pay” when we have to provide these things individually as citizens). You may want to consider a maximum of 2-3 priorities along the following categories (I make some suggestions…):
Economic priorities: Power Supply & Holistic Transport Infrastructure System (Rail, Inter/Intra-City connections etc.)
Social priorities: Employment Generation, Security Overhaul
Political priorities: Reduction of Government Waste, Restructuring of Key Government Agencies in the Downstream oil sector
Consider a graduated approach to the phasing out of current fuel “subsidy”. Nigerians have a trust problem with the government (and rightly so); so let’s have a performance agreement on how this trust can be regained. For example, let’s consider a bucket of issues that we can use in a “give n take” scenario: What is the total power supply needed for Nigeria to be on 24/7 electricity? We can consider when you achieve 60-70% of this supply, you can reduce your subsidy further by say 40-50% and this will continue until 100% is achieved by you and we the citizens allow you claim 100% pricing on Petrol (only when our local refineries are operating efficiently and at full/near-full capacity).
Nigerians have a BIG problem with how you distribute/share resources and more importantly, how you spend their money! Let him who has ears listen to the voice of the elders (and their children and children’s children)…
Labour/Unions/NGOs/Civil Rights etc

The goal of any agitation is to drive the government towards ensuring the efficient management of the country’s resources. The government should be hounded when it fails in this regard, but also you should not be found wanting in this regard as well.
Upon reversion to N65/litre, let’s be more proactive and be willing to meet with the government at the negotiating table on progressive steps and approach to national development. Agree a workable plan with government and ensure adequate monitoring.
Nigerians can understand the issues at stake, present the facts/issues (not just your opinions and interpretations) and let’s use the various mediums available to pursue meaningful dialogue
International Community

Be on the side of the Nigerian people! We are not asking for subsidies, only saying put the horse before the cart.
The reason most people here live under $2/day is not because we like freebies. It’s because after an average Nigerian provides almost everything (which you take for granted in your countries and expect your governments to provide) like build his/her own roads, supply his/her electricity, bore his/her own well for water, pay for his/her children’s education/health etc., you are most likely to be left with nothing!
Nigerian Protesters (Youth/Old, Male/Female, Adopted/Original)

Start preparing for 2015 in 2012! (Understand the party, the man and the underlying interests!)

wastage facts I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ country

Let us continue to keep some of these facts in mind. "faith cometh by hearing....", 'protest cometh by knowing'

"Nigeria's 2012 budget of N4,749 trillion is premised on an oil price benchmark of $70 a barrel, total production of 2.45 million barrels a day and an exchange rate of N155 to 1US$.
The budget does not make provision for funding fuel subsidy.
An initial review and analysis of the budget reveals the huge wastages contained therein.
Some examples of wasteful spending decisions are itemized below:
In 21 out of 50 Ministries, Departments and Agencies revealed the following amounts for some recurrent and capital expenditure items:
· Travel - local and international N13 billion
· Stationery, Magazines, Newspapers, etc. N4.5 billion
· Maintenance of vehicles, furniture, etc.N17 billion
· Training N5 billion
· Fuel and Lubricants for cars, generators, etcN4 billion
· Miscellaneous: welfare packages, refreshments, meals,N9 billion
· Acquisition of Computer Software N2.5 billion
· Research and Development: N27 billion

N1.2 billion in the Ministry of Agriculture is to incorporate commodity marketing companies! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to spend N322 million to acquire "computer software".
The following are some examples of what has been included in the State House (Aso Rock Villa) budget:
Overhead is about N7.2 billion, or about N20 million per day to keep our President and VP happy. Their local travel budget is N724 million or N2 million per day, including weekends, while their international travel budget ix N951 million or nearly N3 million per day.
The president's office has N285 million to hand out as "welfare package", N265 million to buy computers, N150 million to buy scanners, N161 million for buses, N295 million for new furniture, and N1.8 billion to "maintain existing furniture, office and residential quarters". Desktops for N300,000 each, laptops for N314,000 each and scanners for a whopping N190,000. The public address system in the President, VP's office and Banquet Hall will cost N150 million! The SGF will spend N65 million on tree planting."

Wednesday 11 January 2012

LISTEN Τ̅☺ †ЂΞ VOICE OF M̶̲̥̅Γ̲̣̣̥ POEPLE

I decided to take a look at what's happening in nigeria.....bad leadership......demonstration have started a...ll over Nigeria over the fuel subsidy removal.....and... GEJ...the man who won an election few months ago on his Claim of having no shoes as a boy.....the son of a fisher man from Otuoke creek has bluntly refused to listen to voice of reason....and I wonder what is wrong with this man...have you forgotten the child of whom you are......what are you doing in the midst of Sanusi Lamido, Iweala and Allison Madueke......Ere ki ni Aja n ba ekun she.....(what game would bring a dog and a tiger together) what good advise would you get from these spoilt brats).....Sanusi....a grandson of the emir and son of a permanent secretary.....a noble blood .....he was never as hungry as you were.........and then Iweala........the daughter of a Professor and king in ogwashi ukwu and.....An IMF returnee.......everybody in her family went to harvard.......she had ice cream for breakfast while you were walking barefoot looking for fish in the sun of ogbia.....common!what are you doing with her.............And then diezani madueke ......the daughter of chief Agama and wife of Admiral madueke......what are you doing around these people........please listen to people who are just like your father.....fisher men,boat maker ,mechanic,tailor,okada man etc who would suffer greatly from your stubbornness. Listen to people like you who had no shoes .......Hmm

M̶̲̥̅γ̲̣̣̥ message τ̅☺ Mr President

Mr President,Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ,Sanusi Lamido;d only way Nigerians will knw dat u guys rili care 4dis country is 2 slash d Presidency n d National Assembly budget by 70%,tell us hw much it amt 2 n create an account 4d fund,den Nigerians will also b willin 2 bear d pains of subsidy removal on petrol.It is an adjustment dat evrybody nids 2mak & it hs to strt frm d Top 2d bottom not d oda way round.I LOVE MY COUNTRY,NIGERIA

Enough Ȋ̝̊̅ڪ Enough

Wen a Nigerian pays N65 4 fuel dat is refind n distributd @ N40,he is subsidizin d incompetence of Government by N25.Wen a Nigerian has 2buy a Generator,Diesel or Petrol bcos Electricity supply is,epileptic @ best he is subsidizin d ineptitude of Government.Wen a Nigerian hs 2drill a borehole,buy pure water or Bottled water rather dan get publicly available potable tap water,hes subsidizin d inefficiency of Government.Wen a Nigerian has 2 maintain 3 mobile phone-lines or 3diff internet subscriptions just bcos of call-quality or crippled bandwidth,he is subsidizin d failures of Govt regulatn.Wen a Nigerian has 2pay private security men n use electronic gadgets,2secure his life n property he is subsidizing d inability of Govt 2protect him as required constitutionally.Wen a Nigerian has 2tak his car 2d mechanic more often dan normal n evn sumtyms loses his life in road accident he is subsidizing d lack of ability by Govt 2provide gud roads n transportatn systems.i cud go on n on abt d Educatnal system,Health sector,d Environment,Maritime,etc. but d point is made - Nigerians have bn subsidizing Govt 4much 2long!Its tym 4us 2 remov our own subsidy n mak d govt do wat its supposed 2do.Support d strike.Nothin shall discourage us!h

Α̲̅ call τ̅☺ duty

Fellow Nigerians, there's no going back. We've started already, we shall not stop! Don't underestimate d little information u re-broadcast in dat ur small living room. It's going a long way in promoting dis struggle. The Egyptian spring started & was sustained via social media like this. Now d call is for us to help our husbands, wives, friends, wives, sisters, brothers, uncles & aunts dat work in Zenith bank and Civil servants in Abia State. NLC/TUC and OccupyNigeria should call Jim Ovia of Zenithbank & Theodore Orji of Abia State to order NOW. They are threatening their staff & workers to resume work tomorrow and boycott the strike or face sack. These two men are saboteurs & enemies of this struggle. If we don't take action against them now, other employers gaining from dis wicked govt will tow d same path. It is NOW or NEVER. We are ready to burn down all Zenith Bank branches all over Nigeria wich opens for business tommorrow & d Abia liaison house in Victoria Island Lagos. This is very very urgent & serious. Don't treat lightly.

Α̲̅ NEW NIGERIA

Indeed, I look forward to a new Nigeria where things will work for the good of all. I look forward to a Nigeria where the people will adopt a way of civil order and a coherent body of thoughts. I look forward to a Nigeria where the leaders will be accountable to their people. I look forward to a Nigeria where the orientation of our youths will be redirected so that they may begin to think about what they can do for the country rather than what the country will do for them. I look forward to a new Nigeria

why are we doing this

Let us remind ourselves the reason for this showdown. It is not about subsidy, I keep repeating this fact. It is about the following indices that make our govenrment big, wasteful and ineffective:

Big and overblown governments at all levels
70 Ministers
Over twenty Special advisers (on what?)
Every minister is entitled to 4 Special Assistants
Senate President earns 88 Million Naira monthly
His Deputy Earns 55 Million Naira monthly
Senators take home 14 Million naira monthly
It takes 1.4 Billion naira to mantain the NASS annually (Rememeber what Sanusi said about 25% of our GDP is used to feed people who only sit Tuesday - Thursday)
Our Governors exhibit such level of opulence shunned by the richest nations in the world
Our 2012 budget has a deficit component to it. We are supposed to borrow about 1.6 TRILLION NAIRA.
NASS will be paid from that!
Aso Rock will use 1 Billion of it to eat!
Aso Rock will use another 1 Billion to fuel generators.
The Vice President will use 58 Million Naira to buy newspapers
The office of Patience Jonathan will use 500 Million to speak bad english to you.
We will spend close to 500 Billion on International Travels
In 2012, some state governors will collect 100 as security votes MONTHLY
They will continue to enjoy immunity clause!
Your hospitals will have no drugs
Your schools will still have no quality to train a world class scholar
Your roads will still be death traps
You will still be a local government unto yourself, providing water, security, power and social security!
You will still pay more for petroleum products.
You will pay toll in 2012 on federal interstate roads.
If you will like this to continue in 2012, then stay at home and enjoy power as provided by PHCN! Or FIGHT 4ur ryt

†ђξ need for Nigerians τ̅☺ endure

Fellow Nigerians, The govt is of d belief that after a few days of hunger Nigerians do not have d capacity to endure pain & hardship, therefore when we get tired we will go back to work. Pls do not let us play into their hands, let d people for once disappoint this govt. The Libyans, Tunisians, Egyptians, Syrians etc did not fight for only 3 days, they fought till the whole world heard their voices. He that is down fears no fall, we are already down & if we can endure power failure & all the pains they have inflicted on us for over 35yrs nothing should stop us now. Babangida came with IMF LOAN, the idea was for us to suffer then & our children & us to enjoy later, my question is "who has the enjoyment now" It is time to put an end to all this suffering for good. If we çould go abroad to wash plates & dead bodies to earn a living then we are more rugged than we know. I am appealing to all, do not get tired, don't give up let's continue to support labour, if the economy is totally shut down even d cabals will not have an income.

IS SUBSIDY REALLY THE PROBLEMOF NIGERIA?

The American President has only
TWO aircraft, our president has
9[Nine] in his fleet and was voted
money recently to buy ONE more!
Making it TEN!
¤ The British prime Minister has
only TWO official cars, our president
has 23 [Twenty Three] in his pool
and only recently voted 300Million
Naira to buy TWO more bullet/
bomb proof ones!
¤ Senators in the US earn about
$6,000 dollars monthly and that's
about what a university professor,
or a director in a state department,
or a doctor with 20years
experience, or a teacher with
25years experience earn too, but
Here in Nigeria a senator earns
245 million Naira per annum!
That's the salary of 25 vice
chancellors, or 50 medical doctors,
or 60 directors, or 500 school
teachers!
¤ The US, almost the size of Africa
with about 500million people have
24[TwentyFour] ministers, and
32[ThirtyTwo] government
parastatals and commisions, Nigeria
has a whooping 42[FourtyTwo]
cabinet ministers, and over
50[Fifty] government parastatals!
¤ America with about 500million
people and more mileage to drive
consumes 39million litres of petrol
daily, Nigeria with 150million
people 60% out of which live in
remote areas, yet our
government tells us we
consume about 35million litres
of petrol daily!
 In other words corruption greed
Ȋ̝̊̅s  †ђξ big issue Nigerians suffer
From...Bad,corrup,greedy leaders

Revolution...Fuel subsidy removal

(1) †ђξ $☺ called untouchables who financed Goodluck Jonathan’s election are the beneficiaries of fule subsidy''
(2) For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice. Occupy Nigeria
(3) Ironically, d crime rate in Lagos has fallen to an all-time low sinx d beginning ...
(4) Cost of producing one litre of petroleum in Nigeria is N40; so, the N25 difference in the pump
(5) GEJ is so lackin in Elementary Coherence which shows dat His policiespositions ar not WELL
(6) FUEL MADNESS... SUBSIDY per Year 1.3 Trillion... STRIKE per Day 320 Billion Loss... 5Days Strike= 1.6Trillion: More Than D Subsidy Itself: If The Govt Can Afford This Loss, Then it Can Afford Subsidy.. SUBSIDY IS A FRAUD..
(7) The kind of exploitative people we r mirrors d type of govt we have...Nigerians na wetin?
(8) There seems to be no Government in Nigeria, its jst a bunch of insensitive elders caring alone for their big tommy. Are we ready for revolution?

♓☺w τ̅☺ win †ђξ battle between Nigeria Government άŋϑ †ђξ masses regarding †ђξ removal of fuel subsidy

U wanna get the world's attention? U wanna get that subsidy replaced? Halt the production of crude oil off shores for 24 hours. The strike is not affecting the production of crude oil. Infact the International airports have been re-opened today and airplanes are coming and going as we speak. Do I see a slippage? Be informed, know your strengths as citizens. U have to hit them where it hurts. And that's @ the international market sector. Close the international airports, halt the production of crude oil off shore. Let the CNNs and BBCs focus on us for a whole day, and see if the fuel price won't be reversed. PLEASE PASS ON TILL IT GETS TO EVERYONE