Tag: Subsidy

Energy, Politics

₦40 per Litre: Local Refining to Save Nigeria

Jilomes

I wonder what Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, would have witnessed to trigger his assertion that “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true”. Usually, a lack of information makes people susceptible to being fooled, especially when they are marinated in well-spun tales generously adorned with the best spices of propaganda. But there is another set who ordinarily should or seem to have relevant information, yet choose to be fooled. With regards to arguments about local refining in Nigeria, it is such persons that should get Soren’s hammer.

Continue reading “₦40 per Litre: Local Refining to Save Nigeria” →
Politics

Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike

Jilomes

For decades, organized labour has served as a bulwark for the common person. Labour unions via friendly negotiations and unfriendly negotiations forced by strike threats and actual strikes have changed government position one time too many. However, that an entity is called a labour union does not mean that every decision would ultimately benefit the masses. Here is a situation where I think Nigeria’s organized labour is making a mistake. Continue reading “Petrol Subsidy: Before We Strike” →

Change, Politics

There Was a Subsidy

Jilomes

The Nigerian political sphere is characterized by intrigues and bizarre plots. In most of these political plots, the plight of the common Nigerian is hardly considered. It’s all about politics. One man removed petroleum subsidy, and fled back after intense opposition. Another claimed subsidy did not exist, yet paid huge sums as subsidy. Mr. Thomas has now seen the light. He now agrees that there was a subsidy. Continue reading “There Was a Subsidy” →

Change

May We Finally See

Jilomes

Nigerians started the year 2012 with a rude gift from the federal government. The President Jonathan-led administration had abolished the regime of petroleum subsidies, triggering a huge leap in pump prices. What followed was a series of protests that finally forced the government to backtrack, howbeit, not completely. The events of Jonathan’s final week in government show that despite the arguments and reservations about the subsidy policy, one thing is certain—it is not helping Nigerians. Continue reading “May We Finally See” →