The 500 billion Naira policy of the federal government said it will disburse to 12 million families for 6 months as palliative to cushion the hardship occasion by the removal of subsidy will not make any difference in the lives of Nigerians. This approach is an afterthought from the lack of planning before the sudden removal of subsidy. The government cannot sustain that policy just like it could not sustain the policy of subsidising the cost of petrol. This government that appears to understand the issues is gradually going the way of the Buhari government, toying with the lives of Nigerians and undertaking thoughtless policies that may ruin the hope and aspirations of the citizens left in this country.
The careless removal of subsidies instead of going after the people manipulating the system and correcting the problem from there or making our refinery work first is a massive error that will give this government a run for its life. The subsidy removal has cost us incalculable damage. Whilst the government focus was just on petrol and not the far-reaching effects, the price of goods and services rose to a point where the government became confused that it is now making a declaration for a state of emergency on the cost of food. This is a government that has failed to apply both long-term and critical thinking before taking a decision.
Due to the failure of the government to think through policies before making a speech to destabilise the already fractured Nigeria economy the citizens are at the receiving end. With a very low living wage, unemployment, lack of public healthcare, lack of functionable educational system, lack of electricity and social support systems, the citizens are groaning because their leaders are thoughtless and reckless. Nigerians cannot be led like this anymore. A country where its citizens have been suffering for over fifty years is not a people you should lead thoughtlessly. There must be a deliberate intentionality to change their story. You must address the myriad of problems confronting their daily existence.
I am indifferent about the subsidy removal as much as I am drawn to the consequences of that action, which the government never considered. The problem has kept this government awake since it resumed when it used a speech to commence the removal of subsidy. The policy is neither good nor bad but the approach was wrong and thoughtless. To amend the problem by taking a loan is equally opening a new vista of problems which the government was running away from in the first place. The sad story is that we will now borrow for consumption. This is not a good economic plan. Once you start borrowing for consumption you are setting the country up for recession.
This government must not go in the way of the one before it. The administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari was a disaster; a complete failure, riddled with corruption, subversive conflicts, irreconcilable division, nepotism, wastages and indifference. Former President Buhari was never in charge, he glossed over serious national issues with indifference and without any zeal to solve problems of national concern. He only wanted to be president and the rest is an afterthought. Unfortunately, this government seems to be heading that way with the too many early errors this administration is making by the day. This government must find the right solution to the current problem of Nigeria and solve it in the interest of the masses.
Evans Ufeli Esq is a Lagos based lawyer and principal partner at Rabbi Solicitors.