The year 2012 goes down in history as the year Nigeria started with a bang... 1st January saw the announcement of the removal of subsidy on all petroleum products, this is news many Nigerians are not comfortable with.
With Labour on one hand and Government on the other, its hard to tell what really the issues are. while many Nigerians want the subsidy continued government insists the removal speaks better for the economy.
In one fora, the president is reported to have said if the subsidy is not removed, the nations economy might not survive the next few years....Like some school of thought, I am of the opinion that if the economy is diversified and only a portion of it depends on oil revenue, then there'll be no cause for panic, (that's just me thinking).
I was travelling from Jos to Abuja the other day and the discussion that sustained the journey was the oil subsidy removal, I heard several theories and versions of what the subsidy was meant to do, however, one that caught my attention was; the man sitting in front, he had been silent like me but I think he was provoked by the unintelligent argument that ensued. His school of thought was thus: if government is asking the masses to give up the subsidy which is the only thing they enjoy have they (the national assembly,minister,governors etc) thought of forfeiting their mouth watering allowances to help stabilize the economy??? food for thought !
If really sacrifices have to be made for the economy, then everyone has to be on board...simple!
With that, the loud chattering simmered leaving everyone to their thoughts...
Another thing that seemed funny is the corner shop owner, Mama Tina who was quick to start announcing to everyone that came to make purchases that by the next day the price of items would change (even though they were from her old stock) the sachet of milk that sold for 35 naira December 31st was going to be 50 naira, I asked why she smiled and responded"na d subsidy oh!"...Nigerians!! I'm not sure she even understood what the subsidy removal was... Transportation fares had 100% review, everyone attributing their issues to the subsidy removal.
Like a slang, subsidy has become very prominent in every discussion as people even greet you and ask "hows the subsidy?" I wonder what the response should be??
Nigerians have always been known to wade any difficulty, will the oil subsidy removal be no different??
With Labour on one hand and Government on the other, its hard to tell what really the issues are. while many Nigerians want the subsidy continued government insists the removal speaks better for the economy.
In one fora, the president is reported to have said if the subsidy is not removed, the nations economy might not survive the next few years....Like some school of thought, I am of the opinion that if the economy is diversified and only a portion of it depends on oil revenue, then there'll be no cause for panic, (that's just me thinking).
I was travelling from Jos to Abuja the other day and the discussion that sustained the journey was the oil subsidy removal, I heard several theories and versions of what the subsidy was meant to do, however, one that caught my attention was; the man sitting in front, he had been silent like me but I think he was provoked by the unintelligent argument that ensued. His school of thought was thus: if government is asking the masses to give up the subsidy which is the only thing they enjoy have they (the national assembly,minister,governors etc) thought of forfeiting their mouth watering allowances to help stabilize the economy??? food for thought !
If really sacrifices have to be made for the economy, then everyone has to be on board...simple!
With that, the loud chattering simmered leaving everyone to their thoughts...
Another thing that seemed funny is the corner shop owner, Mama Tina who was quick to start announcing to everyone that came to make purchases that by the next day the price of items would change (even though they were from her old stock) the sachet of milk that sold for 35 naira December 31st was going to be 50 naira, I asked why she smiled and responded"na d subsidy oh!"...Nigerians!! I'm not sure she even understood what the subsidy removal was... Transportation fares had 100% review, everyone attributing their issues to the subsidy removal.
Like a slang, subsidy has become very prominent in every discussion as people even greet you and ask "hows the subsidy?" I wonder what the response should be??
Nigerians have always been known to wade any difficulty, will the oil subsidy removal be no different??
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