[size=14pt]Time to break the stalemate on subsidy removal[/size]
By Bolade Omonijo, 10 minutes ago

FOR the two days that the general strike which Organised Labour declared has lasted, things have been very difficult for the people of Nigeria. Many depend on daily earnings to fend for their families even as prices of goods and commodities have shot through the roof. It is an indefinite strike, thus, no one knows how long the hardship occasioned by the protest against the unilateral deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry would last. The times are difficult; the moment dangerous.

A hungry person, it is said, is an angry person. So far, the protests have been largely peaceful. This cannot be guaranteed for too long, if the conflict is not resolved within the week.

Following the announcement of deregulation of the price of petrol on January 1, the Federal Government insisted that the old regime had become untenable and unsustainable. President Goodluck Jonathan, besides addressing the nation last Saturday, inaugurated 1,600 buses meant to cushion the harsh effects of the astronomical rise in transportation cost and the consequent soaring price of food items.

But, the labour leaders shunned invitation to dialogue, with the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele, contending that the government had not kept faith in the negotiations. He said debates and discussions were on when the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced removal of the N65 cap on petrol.

Many analysts are now calling for a pull back from the brink. The senior workers of the petroleum industry, under the aegis of PENGASSAN, has served notice that production in the oil fields and wells will be shut down if the increase is not reversed before today.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also served notice that it would order doctors to drop their stethoscopes and shun patients if the strike lingers beyond this week.

Moves by the two chambers of the National Assembly to mediate deserve commendation. On Sunday, about the same time that President Jonathan was launching a mass transit initiative, the House of Representatives met and passed a resolution calling for suspension of the deregulation policy to allow for wider consultation. The motion was promptly denounced by the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, who described it as merely advisory.

Senate President David Mark held a meeting with the labour leadership with a view to finding a middle ground. It failed as Organised Labour insisted that there would be no negotiation with a government that had breached faith.

What then is the way forward? First, the Federal Government must drop the arrogant and dismissive way it has handled the matter so far. It must acknowledge that power belongs to the people in a democracy, learning from what has happened in other countries in recent times. Perhaps out of exasperation, some of the protesters, especially those from the civil society organisations, are calling for the resignation of the government.

This may be an extreme position to take in the circumstances. But, the longer the protests linger, the more extreme the positions participants may take. Chasing away the government that was popularly elected seven months ago may not be a viable way of resolving the logjam. If Jonathan steps aside, who steps in? Vice President Namadi Sambo in accordance with the constitution? If both are forced out, would power be handed to the Senate President? All these have implications and could lead to a total breakdown of law and order in the country.

All wars end on the roundtable. But, as some members of the National Assembly, senior politicians and patriots have argued, it is time to bring both parties together again. It will help if the deregulation is suspended in the interim to allow for thorough consultation.

It might also help if the structures solely erected by the government ostensibly to cushion the effects of the pangs, including the Kolade and Belgore panel, are dismantled.

Extreme actions could push a country buffeted by sectarian strife off the precipice and the end result is unpredictable. A process has started, the national interest, as patriots have argued, should prevail.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/32835-time-to-break-the-stalemate-on-subsidy-removal.html

Tinubu's paper, una don tire?
It is wrong to start ethnically bigotted protests in the face of a determined FG. Now, you guys are blinking?

Hmmmm, tell me suntin

Beaf, r u being paid by seun for traffic or by Gej for propaganda.
If none of the above then u must be one hell of a die-hard N-Deltan.