₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
@Courage, before you jump to blame the National Assembly on this one, I think you should get a better understanding of why it actually dragged on for as long as it did.

since you seem to have a "better understanding of why it actually dragged on for as long as it did", please pass it on, we'd like to know.

Novacaine:
Obj was a thief and a disappointment while Yaradua just seems to be confused so far its like picking the difference between half a dozen and six

No sir. This is no six and half a dozen.
I'd rather 'seem to be confused' than be 'a thief and a disappointment'.

Someone wrote he couldn't remember what obj did in his first year.
Well I do.

OBJ changed the service chiefs, picked old folks for his first cabinet, made a mantra of anti-corruption, increased the pump price of fuel (?) and junketted around the globe.

I stand corrected.

Now I wouldn't say that was 'action packed' like some folks here would have us believe.

the way some chaps reason here in this virtual cyber community makes me fear for the future of the Nigerian community
Or is it just that most intelligent young nigerians don't have the time for this kind of cyber community?

Agreed, there is still no electricity and there are street urchins,

so every other thing must be put on hold until power problem is resolved and all urchins rehabilitated!

even if second-hand smoking is a serious health issue?

without any intent to condescend, it's just that it's difficult sometimes to ignore some folks here!

coolier:
Propaganda or not, it's only in a country like Nigeria that a person that has been deemed unfit to continue serving as a Police Officer in our Armed Forces, as a matter of fact kicked out, would then turn round to emerge as the governor of Oyo State. So sad. I weep for Nigeria

stop weeping! your cry is only adding AVOIDABLE NOISE to the mess!
rather than weep like a baby, why don't you do something about it!
DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE SITUATION. STOP WEEPING. IT'S RATHER USELESS AND NEGATIVE.

@skyblue
you don 't seem to get it. You dead right about corruption.eThe increament however isn't meant to make more money for PHCN, it is rather an effort to make the environment attractive to private investors who would eventually give PHCN that competition you are talking about.

Bills are inflated, right, and maybe half of the revenue is even siphoned, but the analysis on ground is that mathematically, N4/kwh even if all of it is remitted just isn't right for any serious private investor! Essentilally it means it actually has been double tragedy for PHCN!! The N4-6/kwh being charged is ab initio inadequate to cover cost, then to make matters worse, half of the inadequate revenue is even being stolen by corrupt officials. So the all encompassing solutions are: FIGHT CORRUPTION (to shore up PHCH's revenue) and RAISE TARIFF (to make it economically feasible for private investors to come in).

Summary: The lasting solution is PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN ENERGY and it has been made clear that can't and won't happen with N4/kwh.

See what we're talking about!!!
Just as I'm typing this, I'm watching this special documentary on CNN on the troubled mortgage industry in the USA - 'MORTGAGE MELTDOWN'.

One of the points I just heard them made is ", if only there had been some level of regulation, "we wouldn't have been in this mess, THAT's COMING FROM THE CAPITAL OF CAPITALISM.

Market forces determinant is good and welcome, but in some industries, some degree of regulation is necessary.

ufofex:
Before the GSM revolution, we had NITEL. Govt. did not have to pay subsidies for us to recharge our GSM phones, govt. did not take part in the pricing, not even with the PTOs. Market forces/competition played their role, and those who could afford it got it. We didn't need govt. subsidies and we sure don't need it now. Even if electrcity is charged at #10 per unit, it will still be far less a price to pay when you compare it to howmuch we use to run our generators.

Subsidies or no subsidies, govt. should create an enabling environment that will allow for true private sector/investors participation in the power sector, and leave the pricing for market forces to determine.

you obviously can't see your own contradiction.
enabling environment? the first and foremost enabling environment to any investor is an environment that makes it most likely for him to recoup his investment. And that has been PROVEN not to be the case with current tariffs.

Corruption is the biggest obstacle here. Just like it will be obstacle for ANY other suggested solution.

Who says the GSM rate wasn't moderated by govt? NCC did and is still trying to do same since.

For a critical industry like energy, you certainly don't want some SYNDICATES to take charge of affairs. Regulation of some degree by govt is needed at least for the early years.

Bottomline? IF YOU'RE FOR PRIVATIZATION, YOU HAVE TO BE FOR RAISE OF TARIFF. Govt has only proposed to pick the bill of the extra cost to cushion the effect on the poor consumers (masses) who are not even getting the power in the first place.

someone posted something about the cost of fuelling his generator being more than any tariff that might be proposed, insinuating he doesn't need the subsidy. Well congratulations you can afford it! What about those 60% living on less than $1 a day?

Seriousl some guys aren't for real.

The one person in my opinion whos has got it half right is 4play. With the current tariffs, no investor nor fund lender will be convinced the venture will be profitable. Solution? Raise tariff. But then how can you raise tariff in a situation where supply is at best dissmal (never mind that the people are mostly poor) Solution? Consumers don't get to pay the increament (at least until supply improves remarkably). So the govt picks up the bill for the differential. So it's not exactly a catch-22 scenario here.

Are subsidies and privatization mutually exclusive? NO. Subsidies and privatization can complement in certain situations like this.

Guys here have always suggested a GSM-revolution like case for the power sector. Now the govt is trying to do something in that line, same guys are here complaining.

It sounds a good idea. My hope is that it works - not made a stillborn by inherent systemic corruption.

Amazing!!! I hope this is not a sensational crap.

bawomolo:
i personally believe a fine would be more appropriate, suspending BA operations seem absurd.

Finally a real man! Here is someone at least who is not hanging unjustifiably to a position.

@topic

the most sacred of possessions is your live and your honour (not necessarily in that order)

If the president is even pretending to stand up for the honour of Nigerians, he should be encouraged and not shouted down with cynicism. Never mind a few misbehaving citizens, never mind infrastructure isn't in good shape.

Imagine if your loving/loved parents were on that plane.

I just believe whatever bit of good move by the leadership, even if you are of the opinion they are minimal and too few, it still should be encouraged and commended.

That the president wants Nigerians treated better foreigners is the reason 'we' are goats! And that's coming from a supposed Nigerian! Oh my! Going by posts by this individual in other threads and other setions, I conclude she isn't worth joining issues with.

almondjoy:
Do you have rulers? Please specify which countries you are referring to here so we can save our fingers from from responding.  Franlky, matters concerning Nigeria are not worth discussing.


Oh, you are quoting your diary or someone else's diary? Go there and see the Ghanghzou for yourself. Did you see the rail system. . .one of the fastest in the world.  We purchaced first class tickets for the trains and sat down to enjoy the luxury of the cabin only for the ticket attendant to tell us we were in the "cheapest" section of the train.  Only to get to the real first class and almost passed out in disbelief.  I have been there and let me tell you. . . that is just one more reason to hate Nigeria. . .where the people are so wicked.  Nigeria as a country full of people without any conscience. . . who will gladly sleep at night while looking at all the nonsense around them praising and worshipping. . .while others die everyday around them.

In fact. . . Ghanghzou too far. . . just visit Dakar. . Senegal and you will weep for Nigeria!

Useless country! Who think that "Abuja" is the best thing that ever happened to them.

Do Nigerians travel. . .only to roam around Newyork, London and Paris for 2-week vacations and come back to Nigeria and make some stupid noise.  Where you have a dunder-head of a president who goes to Germany to treat himself while the lay man on the street. . . cannot even afford fake drugs.  Yet he will still go to the mosque or what ever shitty house of prayer they all go to on Fridays or Sundays and pray for long life.

Idiots!

And what is the point of your venom-pouring and names calling!
Some guys can stay in the comfort of their asylum or whatever in europe or America and rather than give some hope to people who aren't as fortunate as they probably are, they write and talk as if they made the countries they emigrated to what it is!

Nigeria is in a mess, no doubt, but pray tell us:

what have you done to help in any little way?
what are you doing to help in any little way?
what can you possibly do to help in any little way?

Look and talk down on the country and its people? No, I don't think that's the way to go.

Simon Kolawole's article is, in my opinion, his own contribution to nation building, and it's so much appreciated, but your hate article, names-calling and venom-pouring certainly ISN'T.

kemofash20:
the only thing i believe in is results i don't believe in hard work or plans and as per results i believe this guy (yaradua) has failed.
nigeria is a country that cannot afford to move at a step by step pace we have to jump steps because we are really behind time.
its like someonecomes into sch at the middle ofthe semester and expect to read at the same pace as someone that came at the beginingof the semester
can't be done. nigeria is like d student that came to school at the middle of the semester

Yeah, and so in order to be seen as 'fast', that student must NOT review what has been done before he joined the semester! He should just go on ahead and study whatever remains of the semester 'cos he 'doesn't have time'. Good reasoning!

Oh yeah, you believe in result, not hard work. Ah, well!

The easiest thing in the world probably is armchair criticism.

Kobojunkie:
If I was God, I would let africa fall as far as the people want to let fall until you all learn that prayer(faith) without works is DEAD.

show me where you read 'prayer without work' in that post.
you really didn't have to post reply to that post.
I believe in hard work but I also believe in divine support.
I believe Nigeria needs the two.
You could choose to believe what you choose to believe.

some chaps here have been saying obj initiated this obj initiated that. gosh!
who cares what he initiated for eight years but never got completed!
you forgotten the success story is not he that starteth but he that completeth.

If in 8 years the east-west road couldn't be accomplished just like no road project i know was accomplished and a guy comes in and it was completed under his watch, who takes the credit?

Some tribal bigots also mentioned that only projects are in the north!! oH YEAH, LIKE THE WARRI REFINERY THAT WAS PUT BACK ON STREAM IS IN MAIDUGURI!

Yar'Adua appears slow Ok, but I'd rather a president that's more inclined to well thought-out plans and actions than an impulsive 'with immediate effect' bungler.

We have had presidents that moved fast and you all know them! What did we get for the fast actions? Bad roads and darkness at home and fat personal accounts in swiss banks!

What's more? This guy just got his first budget back from the nat. assembly. A budget he submitted since Nov 07. He declined to sign the bill into law 'cos a 'business as usual' nat. assembly decided to cross the bounday of power separation and padded the budget to feather their personal nests. The guy that would be held responsiblre for implementing the fraud said 'NO, I CAN'T SIGN IT'! Here people still blame him for that! Some people really don't know what they want!

We'll keep praying for him so God help him do good for the people of Nigeria.

"What courage or vision has he shown for Nigeria? , He lacks needed leadership skills , "

What is this courage and vision that you so much refer to vaguely? Vague issues are the cheapest ways to criticise an individual.

Leadership skill? What exactly is he lacking that you can honestly and objectively see missing and that you can wisely suggest?

Quit this vague cliches and talk real issues.

Sometimes one doesn't understand what people want. They want demlcracy but they can't settle down with court rulings! OK the election was FLAWED, even the president acknowledged that much. But the law as democracy practises it is not about reality, rather it's abt what can be proved! That's why it's said that the Law is an Ass!
Even if the judges know for certain thta the elections were rigged, if the challengers counsels cannot provide good enough evidence, then too bad, the judges have to rule on evidence, not their own wishes or YOUR wishes or The PUBLIC wishes for that matter!

Have you not heard of cases where everybody knows someone has committed murder but because the prosecuting counsel aren' smart enough OR the defence counsel is too shrewd for the prosecutor, the murderer is let loose, even when the judge hates to let him go. THAT'S WHAT YOUR LAW IS ALL ABOUT! and by extension THAT'S WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT!
We should just be consoled that at least the beneficiary here is a decent man and one that has good intent and maybe hopefully the strongwill and ability to better Nigeria's lot. Peace.

Without any intent to condescend, I wouldn't have thought the ban on 'spraying' would generaye so much passion here on Nairaland. I had believed most nairalanders would agree on the indecency of the practice.

Some folks here have argued on human rights to use your money as you wish, but I'll like to ask a couple of questions:

1. The currency is a national symbol just like the national flag is. Can you trample on any county's national flag in public without consequences?

2. I believe the value of your note is your personal property, but the material is not! It is the property of the public. You can 'spend' your money as you choose BUT you cannot use the material as you wish. OR can anyone who thinks he's rich enough choose to use the currency notes as toilet papers in his toilet instead of tissue paper and still send the same notes in the public domain, OR just simply choose to burn it, since afterall he can use his 'hard earned money' as he wishes?

3. Mishahdled notes expose other innocent handlers to dangers of infection. People have a right to smoke, but when it constitute a danger to other innocent pepole, it has to be banned in public places. Are you folks saying the ban on public smoking in the west in an infringement on the rights of the people.

I have a feeling if this law or a similar one had been enacted in USA or UK, these same people would have hailed it as triumph of decency and would probably have urged our govt to do same. Now our govt. took the initiative, they are saying it hasn't been done in America. Oh my God,

@Seun

I reffered you to the newspaper that reported this story viz: ThisDay and Punch.
OK I provided the link to ThisDay but couold'n get the link for The Punch. If you were interested in getting the facts before going on to call me names, you could have checked up both sources.
Punch reported that the NASS source claimed the amount was 'close to a billion' nad that is what I stated in my post.
If you need to call someone a liar, then you could say the report was a lie or the paper a liar.
I have no need to sensationalize nor exagerate, talkless lie! Over what?
Decency deserves you check well before you run off calling people names.

@ Kobojunkie

Honestly I don't know what point you are trying so hard to make

Kobojunkie:
He has not spent a single kobo of his SECURITY VOTE in 7 months, which according to the article is his personal money to spend?? ok, Has he been spending Money that belongs to the Nigerian people then?? If yes, what has he been spending it on and what good can we speak of his spending practises I mean a man can keep his own account in good standing and all but what matters more is how he deals with the account that does not belong to him. How much of Nigerians money has he spent in that 7 month period, on what and what has Nigeria gained since then??

Do we have to commend him for not spending the money for 7 months or even for seven years when it is his to spend as he chooses What is this?? Kindergarten Should we get him ice cream and stroke his ego while we are at it ?? Come on , What about focusing on what really matters more in that country

hey! easy man!

you got something wrong.

The security vote does not go into his personal account. If it isn't spent, it is returned to the treasury. But if spent, it is unaccounted for.

So his security votes for 7 months has been returned and captured in the 2008 budget.

There is no point being beefy about everything. When there is something commendable, let's commend it. Period.

@doyin

exactly the reason his action is commendable. He obviously believe what you believe that the security vote is a luxury Nigeria can't afford. We need leaders that believe in such prudent use of public fund.

And who's the liar here, Seun?

As for source get This Day of Friday 1st Feb and The Punch of Sat. 2nd Feb

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=102075


Even some governors have close to a 100m as secutity vote per month!

It was disclosed during the week by the National Assembly that Pres. Yar'Adua did not spend a kobo from his security votes for the 7 months of 2007. This money is close to a billion naira and is not meant to be accounted for. And this man did not even make any noise about it until discovered by the NASS

I think this is really commendable.

What do you guys make of this esp. viz-a-viz leadership by example and war on graft?

vigasimple wrote that "Let us examine some of the choices by OBJ and see that at least he tried even though he didn't succeed completely. El-Rufai for FCT, SOLUDO for CBN, Iwenja-okonla for Finance, Akinyuli for NAFDAC, RIBADU for EFCC etc

One more point, when NNADI Usman became Finance minister nobody complain, and her husband took over from her even though he is competent and merit it but that is nepotism, what are they trying to cover up. There are so many things and question one can ask which we may never get an answer?"

@vigasimple & co

By the Way: Okonjo Iweala not Iwenja Okonla; Akunyili not Akinyuli

Nenandi usman is not Shamsudeen usman's wife nor is Allison Madueke Ojo Maduekwe's wife.

Please get you facts right in the future before you castigate other people due to mis-information.

If you can't get simple facts right, how do you you call the President Yar'adull and cry nepotism. Think about it! who has exhibited 'dullness' here now.

Somebody wrote that Ribadu was not allowed into the Aso Villa - another misinformation!
Ribadu indeed saw the President this afternoon (ref: PM News)

If people like you can not get simple, verifiable, everyday facts right, how do you call other peoples names for taking difficult decisions esp when it doesn't go along with your un-informed or rather mis-informed personal expectations.

We LOVE Ribadu. And he has said that guys like you muddle things up for him everytime you insinuate that the President has compromised! You wittingly or un-wittingly help his enemies - our enemies.

Let us examine some of the choices by OBJ and see that at least he tried even though he didn't succeed completely. El-Rufai for FCT, SOLUDO for CBN, Iwenja-okonla for Finance, Akinyuli for NAFDAC, RIBADU for EFCC etc

One more point, when NNADI Usman became Finance minister nobody complain, and her husband took over from her even though he is competent and merit it but that is nepotism, what are they trying to cover up. There are so many things and question one can ask which we may never get an answer?

@vigasimple & co

By the Way: Okonjo Iweala not Iwenja Okonla; Akunyili not Akinyuli

Nenandi usman is not Shamsudeen usman's wife nor is Allison Madueke Ojo Maduekwe's wife.

Please get you facts right in the future before you castigate other people due to mis-information.

If you can't get simple facts right, how do you you call the President Yar'adull and cry nepotism. Think about it! who has exhibited 'dullness' here now.

Somebody wrote that Ribadu was not allowed into the Aso Villa - another misinformation!
Ribadu indeed saw the President this afternoon (ref: PM News)

If people like you can not get simple, verifiable, everyday facts right, how do you call other peoples names for taking difficult decisions esp when it doesn't go along with your un-informed or rather mis-informed personal expectations.

We LOVE Ribadu. And he has said that guys like you muddle things up for him everytime you insinuate that the President has compromised! You wittingly or un-wittingly help his enemies - our enemies.

to be sure let me state that I love Ribadu to pieces
I also think he's a rare blessing to Nigeria
and I hated the headlines that hinted of his new posting

but having said that,

I think Nigerians love conspiracies! Or rather conspiracy theories

Of course there are always conspiracies, but governance shouldn't be reduced to only intrigues esp not with a person like Yar'Adua whose integrity is not in contention

All the people here who are cursing Nigeria and Yar'adua cos Ribadu was told to go to NIPSS, what are they going to say if and when Ibori is still sentenced to jail - like he's going to be sentenced - despite the absence of Ribadu.

to be sure let me state that I love Ribadu to pieces.
I also think he's a rare blessing to Nigeria
and I hated the headlines that hinted of his new posting

but having said that,

I think Nigerians love conspiracies! Or rather conspiracy theories

Of course there are always conspiracies, but governance shouldn't be reduced to only intrigues esp not with a person like Yar'Adua whose integrity is not in contention

All the people here who are cursing Nigeria and Yar'adua cos Ribadu was told to go to NIPSS, what are they going to say if and when Ibori is still sentenced to jail - like he's going to be sentenced - despite the absence of Ribadu.

Who is your man of the year?

RIBADU

the prophet (saw) was reported to have said (not verbatim) ,

By Allah, no servant of Allah gives up something for the sake of Allah except that Allah will replace it with something better.

I once read- I think in a newspaper - of a property company planning a sheme whereby they pay the lump sum - 2 years + agency + legal - for their clients' accomodation rent and allow the client to pay back an agreed sum monthly.

I'll appreciate anybody that has any information on any such organization to forward it.