₦airaland Forum

You have to love with reasons, simple as that.

My love for my other half is predicated on qualities, values, abilities, characteristics, traits that will always stand the test of time. These qualities are part of her; they cannot be discarded easily, stolen or be bad mouthed in any way. These qualities defines who she is, and complements my qualities as well.

It has nothing to do with material things or general beauty per se, because those can fade away anytime.

I guess this writer is being economical with the truth or should i say speculation. It will be nice for the writer to analyze both sides, so that people can be better informed. As a nation, we want increase in GDP, increase in fixed direct investment, reduction of import products, improve tax revenue, improve employment and those other benefits that accrue to the economy due to deregulation of downstream sector. But we're not ready to pay the price. If we want to be among the best 20 economy by 2020 (dreaming), We all know that its going to get worse before it gets better, and we all have to be prepared for it.

While i agree that initially, deregulating downstream sector will bump inflation up a bit. That is why we have CBN, to put an anticipatory measures in place to curb inflation.

Also, while increase in cost of transportation might lead to increase cost of industrial production, but it might not necessarily lead to downsizing as being touted by the killer of deregulation. Majority of companies in Nigeria today rely on the use of generator for their day-to-day operating activities, and many of them are still operating without downsizing of any kind.  

Not deregulating the downstream sector is a decision we cannot afford to make because of the spiral effect on the economy.  
- Continuous funding of subsidies in the downstream sector is a recipe for the disaster, because

1. It is a waste of money, because it is not creating any tangible jobs for the masses
2. It is not and will not encourage expected inflow of investments that can generate additional tax revenue for the country
3. It will continue to make Nigeria refined products import dependent
4. Contribution to our GDP from downstream will be minimal in comparison to its potential
5. Export opportunities from the downstream sector that can boost our current account will be diminished.
6. Continuous dependence on expatriates in this sector, when we can train our own people.
7. Subsidy funds can be utilized for other developments including; infrastructure building, education, improve downstream sector by contributing funds to build refineries or petrochemical facilities.
 
Do you think we should deregulate downstream or continue with status quo? State your reasons.

Fuel subsidy: Experts criticise govs


Some financial experts have advised he Federal Government to disregard state governors’ demand for removal of fuel subsidy.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the removal of the subsidy would bring untold hardship to the people.

Immediate Past President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, said the removal of fuel subsidy would lead to inflation.

Nzekwe said inflation would affect the masses more than the rich and reduce the purchasing power of the average Nigerians.

He said the cost of transportation would also increase while the cost of industrial production would go up.

“It is not really good enough to remove fuel subsidy because companies might start “downsizing” their staff due to high running cost,” he said.

A lecturer in the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, Dr Kazeem Bello, corroborated Nzekwe’s view, stressing that removal of subsidy would cause inflation.

I would support his nomination to head EFCC, at least to curb corruption a bit.

Nice piece by Elrufai.

In every government, there should be room for constructive criticism. From constructive criticism, you get the best out of people and government. If the present administration cannot accommodate that; then we are not ready for democracy, hence no progress for the country.

We may have our political differences, but objective discourse must never be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience. The scars on our collective psyche by the reckless politicking employed by politicians have to heal. Governments must listen to the voices of all, no matter how unpalatable. Societies makeprogress building on a foundation of social cohesion and trust.

That is why rebuilding social cohesion and trust should be the first priority of the authorities. Happily no budgetary provision is needed to achieve that

If we can achieve this major hurdle, prevalent bombing in Maiduguri, Abuja, Plateau, and other states will be mitigated. Militants, Bokoharams fighting for just, unjust and lost cause will reduce. Then can our fight encouraging peace, general infrastructure building, local and foreign fixed capital investment, poverty eradication be won and sustained.

The major reason why we cannot move Nigeria forward resides in our inability to willfully fight and eliminate corruption. It is so engrained in the mind of every manliness and harry in Nigeria. Some people even attribute this as part of our culture. It is the reason why Nigeria spent $16 Billion on power reform, with nothing to show for it. The same issue is responsible for why we create budget of trillion's of naira every year, get 20-30% budget implementation, the same project is recycled in the budget while some untouchables continue to smile to the bank. It is the same reason why our best people continue to languish on the street with no job, while nepotism, cronyism dominate the status of the way we do business. Our problem has nothing to do with men of vision, or our ability to solve power problem by creating paper reform or creating penned educational reform. We have capable Nigerians to handle that, and they do their job quite well. Our problem has always been execution which continues to be handicapped by Corruption. If we don't tackle this problem now, by electing the right candidate , we will realize in the next 4 years we're still in the same place or have taking 2 steps backward. As we go out this Saturday to embark on our civic duty, let us remember that we must get it right. Let us vote for capable hands, disciplined minds and consistent leaders that have the experience and integrity to deliver on fight against corruption. Let us echoed our positive fight against corruption through our vote and lets make it count.

The major reason why we cannot move Nigeria forward resides in our inability to willfully fight and eliminate corruption. It is so engrained in the mind of every manliness and harry in Nigeria. Some people even attribute this as part of our culture. It is the reason why Nigeria spent $16 Billion on power reform, with nothing to show for it. The same issue is responsible for why we create budget of trillion's of naira every year, get 20-30% budget implementation, the same project is recycled in the budget while some untouchables continue to smile to the bank. It is the same reason why our best people continue to languish on the street with no job, while nepotism, cronyism dominate the status of the way we do business. Our problem has nothing to do with men of vision, or our ability to solve power problem by creating paper reform or creating penned educational reform. We have capable Nigerians to handle that, and they do their job quite well. Our problem has always been execution which continues to be handicapped by Corruption. If we don't tackle this problem now, by electing the right candidate , we will realize in the next 4 years we're still in the same place or have taking 2 steps backward. As we go out this Saturday to embark on our civic duty, let us remember that we must get it right. Let us vote for capable hands, disciplined minds and consistent leaders that have the experience and integrity to deliver on fight against corruption. Let us echoed our positive fight against corruption through our vote and lets make it count.

The major reason why we cannot move Nigeria forward resides in our inability to willfully fight and eliminate corruption. It is so engrained in the mind of every dick and harry in Nigeria. Some people even attribute this as part of our culture. It is the reason why Nigeria spent $16 Billion on power reform, with nothing to show for it. The same issue is responsible for why we create budget of trillion's of naira every year, get 20-30% budget implementation, the same project is recycled in the budget while some untouchables continue to smile to the bank. It is the same reason why our best people continue to languish on the street with no job, while nepotism, cronyism dominate the status of the way we do business. Our problem has nothing to do with men of vision, or our ability to solve power problem by creating paper reform or creating penned educational reform. We have capable Nigerians to handle that, and they do their job quite well. Our problem has always been execution which continues to be handicapped by Corruption. If we don't tackle this problem now, by electing the right candidate , we will realize in the next 4 years we're still in the same place or have taking 2 steps backward. As we go out this Saturday to embark on our civic duty, let us remember that we must get it right. Let us vote for capable hands, disciplined minds and consistent leaders that have the experience and integrity to deliver on fight against corruption. Let us echoed our positive fight against corruption through our vote and lets make it count.

corruption, if we can take care of this, we will have a smooth operating Nigeria

By their past we shall judge them. Johnathan has shown in the past one year he lacks the ability and capability to fight corruption. Why give him the chance to mess up again.

@ Papa Brown

I agree with your analysis. That strategy works all the time, "keep others in suspended terror, cultivate an air of unpredictability" Law 17
PDP will debate, its just a matter of when.

What is wrong with the man calling for debate? Isn't this good for our country and democracy?

Wow, good news. Is this sustainable? How come this is not translating to increase in Excess crude Account and Reserves? Price of Brent crude is now at $107

I'll pick electoral reform any-day

If we spend $16 billion to reform the security system or power sector, but have the wrong people in power; we all know where that money is going. It will be business as usual. Nothing will be done. For example, assuming we decide to focus on the power reform; it will be marked by high corruption, nepotism, with wrong people in power. Also the time it takes to tackle Power problem is huge, this cannot be done in one - two years; considering how long it'll take to finalize feasibility studies of new power plants, building and operation of old and new transmission and distribution lines. Lest say new president takes over the administration, whats stopping the administration ending current reform and implementing his own agenda. This will amount to waste of resources, waste of time and at the end of the day people continue suffer and we're back to square one.

If we can all focus on electoral system and elect the right candidate into power, the end result will be discipline character that will implement disciplined reform including power and security reform.

@ ndu_chucks

Nice Article, and i agree with your logic.

Buhari is more marketable in the North, while Ribadu is well accepted in the Southwest. They both stand for the same thing, disciplined character. Lest forget about the "age difference which i believe Nigeria need" for a minute and use integrity and experience as yardsticks for picking who people should support logically among those 2 personalities. The answer to me is Buhari. What is wrong with ACN adopting or merging with CPC to field Buhari as their presidential candidate? I think ACN should support Buhari, and not vice versa. With Buhari as the presidential candidate under CPC and ACN, they have a higher probability of success against Mr GEJ in comparison to fielding Ribadu.

I doubt if that will be possible. PDP still have to compete in the general election.

Could this be a mere campaign against Muslim/Nothern presidential aspirant such as Buhari? I guess they don't want disciplinarian to take the mantle of leadership, because it will not be to their advantage.

why is the man silly? For criticizing Jonathan

Happy birthday to Buhari,

you talked about the problem, what about the solution?

What is important is not the probing of past corrupt leaders, because it will distract the government of their focus and will amount to waste of resources. What is important in my opinion is the institutionalization of efficient framework by the administration to ensure tangible reduction in corruption is achieved. Their effort should be focused on strengthening the system, to make it difficult for corrupt officials to have their way. And i think that is what Ribadu is going to embark on if given the opportunity.

R.I.P Olubusayo

I actually believe Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Judging from the inflow of FDI, level of development in the area of Agriculture, Oil and gas, Construction, power and all. This also just attest to that fact.