Fuel Subsidy Removal: Worsening Nigerian Lives?

Photo Credit:
INVESTORS KING
(www.investorsking.com)
























For a while now, I have deliberately ignored commenting on the happenings in our country because one cannot speak against this government without being labelled ‘pro-Jonathan’, ‘pro-PDP’ or ‘anti-Buhari’. I know that this government needs time to get her foot firmly planted but refusing to see anything wrong with some of her policies – or the lack of it – is just wrong.

Today however, it is important that I break my silence.

The Minister of Petroleum (State), Ibe Kachikwu, announced that fuel subsidy had been removed and the new pump price of petrol would now range from ₦135 to ₦145; with ₦145 as the price cap/ceiling. This is, by simple calculation, a 67% increase from the official pre-fuel-subsidy-removal price of ₦86.50.

In the last 2 to 4 months leading to this removal, Nigerians had to battle fuel scarcity and annoyingly long queues at filling stations. As anyone who has had to endure such queues, you know that the wait was dreary, stifling and a complete waste of time. Even at that, there was no guarantee that we would get fuel at the stipulated price. I remember being on a queue for 4 hours as my friend tried to get fuel. After the long hours of wait, my friend got the fuel and had to sneak ₦500 to the fuel pump attendant so she could get fuel for her generator.

Even more than the long queues were the consequent effect of the fuel scarcity; THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING WENT UP! The price of food, clothes, fees and taxes, and transportation went up. The things one could spend ₦1000 on gradually became fewer and fewer.

I felt the pinch more with transportation. I do not drive so I have to use public transport to get me where I want to go. The transport fares in Lagos that were already too high, got higher still. My daily transport of ₦700 went up to about ₦1200; more than 71%   increase. This may be comfortable for a person with a steady, high income but as I didn’t have a job or business at the time, it was a big bite on me. Even among friends who had what I would deem ‘plush’ jobs, the complaint about the increased cost of transportation was bitter.

With this fuel subsidy removal, thus increase in fuel price, I believe that life will get progressively harder. Oh! The logic behind the removal is stellar as explained below;

                ·        Nigeria CANNOT afford to pay fuel subsidies now;
                ·        Competition would probably bring the price of fuel down;
                ·        More people will be able to get into the business of refined oil, thus removing the                 case of the cabals;
                ·        Channeling the money that would have been used for subsidy into renovating our                 refineries and producing our own oil needs;  
                ·        Improving other sectors of the economy with the subsidy money and;
                ·        Eventually cutting down on fuel imports when we have our refineries up and                        running.

But the timing is poor! Many Nigerians are literally groaning under the current hardship we are facing. Just as Nigeria cannot afford to continue to pay these subsidies, Nigerians CANNOT afford this current policy!

Already, fuel stations are beginning to hoard the product with the prospect of selling at higher prices. This means that transportation fares WILL go up again! Food prices will follow suit and soon enough, EVERYTHING will be more expensive.

If this fuel subsidy removal came at a time when basic salaries were manageable, many Nigerians would not grunt under the burden that is about to get heavier. But no; salaries are poor! How will Nigerians survive this? And for those of us who have no viable jobs…do I even need to ask?

One doesn’t need to be ‘pro-Jonathan’ or ‘pro-PDP’ to see and SAY that though the long term effects of this removal would probably be great, the current effects will be damning on most Nigerians.

What then are we to do? 

1 Comment

  • maca-casino.com

    An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who was doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me breakfast because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your web page.|

    https://maca-casino.com/

  • maca-casino.com

    Hello there, You have done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.|

    https://maca-casino.com/

  • betestrela

    Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But think about if you added some great graphics or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this website could certainly be one of the very best in its niche. Superb blog!

    https://betestrela-br.com

  • jogodeouro

    Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

    https://jogodeourobet-br.com

  • what is gelatin trick

    I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks!|

    https://youtu.be/t-jdrmQ_Xpw

  • watch video

    WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for keyword|

    https://youtu.be/uhwSvC8HG68

  • Marylin

    Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
    that I have truly loved surfing around your weblog posts.
    In any case I will be subscribing on your feed and I am
    hoping you write again very soon!

    Also visit my web site :: mnl63

  • click here

    hi!,I like your writing very a lot! share we keep in touch more approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert on this space to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Having a look forward to look you. |

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhwSvC8HG68

  • goldcards

    I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website :).

    https://lyonbars.gold/

  • moverbet

    It’s in reality a great and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

    https://moverbet-cassino.com

  • imperador bet

    Very nice article. I definitely appreciate this website. Keep writing!

    https://imperadorbet-br.com

  • htbkxemzo

    ejurnal.unsa.ac.id vip raih-hoki-tanpa-henti-di-nono4d-menangkan-cuan-rp25-juta-dari-game-gates-of-olympus.html jurnal.ukh.ac.id public news Data-Driven-Slot-Mengapa-Pemain-yang-Mengandalkan-Analisis-RTP-Selalu-Unggul-di-2025.html ejurnal.unsa.ac.id vip receh-rp7000-meledak-jadi-rp260000000-seorang-janda-parubaya-di-bekasi-buktikan-gates-of-olympus-lagi-gacor.html Prasetyo, H., & Indah, N. (2023). Qualitative study of the implementation of Problem-Based Learning in secondary education. Educational Journal of Studies, 9(4), 101-109. Penjual Cilok Asal Singaraja Coba Coba Gems Bonanza Saat Coffee Break Malah Ketemu Bug Cahaya Profit 300 Juta Very quality product! M. Cerqueira, P. Silva, and S. Fernandes, “Systematic Literature Review on the Machine Learning Approach in Software Engineering,” Am. Acad. Sci. Res. J. Eng., vol. 85, pp. 370–396, 2022, . Available: asrjetsjournal.org
    https://forums.auran.com/members/lucassilva12.1281418/#aboutt
    QT777 2025 vs tahun-tahun sebelumnya: Apa yang baru? Aplikasi ini menonjol berkat kinerja yang stabil dan fitur-fitur yang dirancang sesuai kebutuhan pengguna masa kini. QT777 bukan hanya aplikasi biasa, melainkan platform yang menggabungkan kenyamanan dan teknologi dalam satu genggaman. Game seru dan menawan bernama “Pop Trail: Geser ke Kiri dan Kanan untuk Memunculkan Semua Pop dan Selesaikan Levelnya” dapat ditemukan di Play Store. QT777 1.3.5 sekarang tersedia untuk diunduh. Jangan lewatkan pembaruan terbaru yang dirancang untuk meningkatkan pengalaman Anda. Dalam QT777, pengguna dapat menemukan berbagai kategori yang disusun secara rapi untuk memudahkan navigasi. Beberapa kategori utama yang tersedia antara lain: 6. Nikmati bermain QT777 di PC dengan MEmu My Talking Tom 2 My Talking Tom 2

  • DR OZ GELATIN TRICK

    Hi there, I would like to subscribe for this webpage to get most recent updates, therefore where can i do it please help.|

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJJbLtiefQc

  • windshield crack repair

    This blog post is exceptional and offers such a refreshing depth of

    https://oemautoglass.com/

  • WE PRAY AND HOPE THINGS GET BETTER…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • All Post
    •   Back
    • Advocacy
    • Social Commentary
    • Fiction
    • Poems
    • Everyday People
    • Rants
    • Unsung Heroes
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • We Outside
    • Social Change
  • All Post
    •   Back
    • Advocacy
    • Social Commentary
    • Fiction
    • Poems
    • Everyday People
    • Rants
    • Unsung Heroes
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • We Outside
    • Social Change
  • All Post
    •   Back
    • Advocacy
    • Social Commentary
    • Fiction
    • Poems
    • Everyday People
    • Rants
    • Unsung Heroes
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • We Outside
    • Social Change
  • All Post
    •   Back
    • Advocacy
    • Social Commentary
    • Fiction
    • Poems
    • Everyday People
    • Rants
    • Unsung Heroes
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • We Outside
    • Social Change

Quick Links

Find Us:

Beaufort Court Estate,

Lugbe, Abuja.

Call Us:

© 2022 Shades of Us Africa. All Rights Reserved