₦airaland Forum

Mugabe stands up to the west and shortly after calls his bankers in Western Countries (Switzerland, Luxembourg, Cayman Island etc) to confirm the balance of his stolen stash.

The AU is an irrelevant organisation of tin-pot despots that have no desire to develop their countries. Every year, we hear the same empty rhetoric about "standing up to the west" but this leaders will then go cap in hand to seek aid from the West.

Providing millions of Africans with the to basic necessities of human existence (food, shelter and clothing) should be their focus not meaningless speeches.

The Libyan NTC don't need to be angry; recognition by the AU is worthless.

This convoluted explanation over a FB page! na wa o  

Nigerians do not trust public officials; quite rightly and these public  officials also know nobody believes them anymore. Total lack of trust

The media may have overblown this story. Looking at the items most of the money was spent on creating content for the FB page. This content can still be used on their website (if they have one) and other media.

Also, spending up to $1,000 for advertisement on Facebook to increase awareness is no big deal  

Yes, may be  a stupid idea to do the FB page, but  there's no story here. People should just let this go.

oh yes, where are those buses! I know

The buses were meant as relief measures for no subsidy petrol (N141). However, since NLC collected brown envelope and agreed to N97/ litre, Jonah has taken back his buses. The buses can now be used by PDP for campaigning.  

Ppl, Danfo and keke Napad still dey work o.

dmainboss:
Most of you are so ignorant and pathetic, I feel sorry for Nigeria. Do you even know what an AU summit entails? Have you ever attended any international conference? You think the other countries are going to come with less number of participants? I didn't know many Nigerians were this daft. You just come to a forum, real 2 lines of statements, and start doing the animal farm bleep. The last west african conference I attended had about 12 Nigerians attending. And we were not even high profile people. You think an AU summit is a jamboree? That Nigeria is having issues does not mean events like AU summit should not hold and everything should come to an end. And to say the presidents wife should not represent Nigeria in an event is not only stu.p.I'd but a show of bigotry. What does it matter if her english is bad? Does the president of wives of president of most europian countries speak good english? Some of you are so full of inferiority complex. Who says she has to speak good english? This is the reason oyibos call us monkeys. Pathetic

The AU summit is indeed a jamboree, because at the end they'll simply issue a meaningless communique

And the other business is to affirm their allegiance to Qaddafi, good news: that won't happen this year

4everGod1:
Someone should sit down and compute what this one trip with 57 aides would cost Nigeria. This is our money (You and I) yet some oaf is smiling while picking his teeth with a gucci tootpick and drinking Miu Miu water while washing it down with balenciaga dessert.

N950 million has been allocated for international travel in the 2012 budget. hope this helps.  oh yes! additional N 700 million for local travel

Sadly, the stupid House will pass the budget. why? they have to get there grubby fingers on the N150 billion set aside for them

Pennywise:
The question ought to be- 'why are Toyota cars so unnecessarily expensive'

Spot on! Toyota is very overpriced even here in North America. And with the demand in Nigeria, then expect to spend more. Frankly, the big Japanese 3 - Toyota, Honda & Nissan are very reliable

Nissan makes very good products especially the SUV/off road segment. The rugged Xterra and Pathfinder are very solid with performance that rivals the Highlander and 4 Runner

klas:
No governorship elections were held in the affected states in April 2011.

The issue started from 2007 election. The affected governors had their original election victory in April 2007 cancelled by the tribunals midway into their tenure but they again won rerun elections which were held at various times in 2008.

The issue before the court was when should their 4 years tenure start counting? From the date of the original election or the rerun election? 1999 constitution favours the latter but the 2010 amendment to the constitution says it is the former.

The governors felt that the amendment should not apply to them because it was made after their elections. The High Court and the Court of Appeal agreed with them in February and March 2011 but the Supreme Court by today's judgement ruled otherwise.

Thanks for the info

Why were they allowed to enter the 2008 rerun elections in the first place? If the courts cancelled their elections due to electoral malpractices, in that case they should have been barred from participating in future governorship races.  So from 2007 to date, these states have been governed by illegitimate individuals.

This is really a farce.

EFCC, just show us results and stop telling us what you want  to do. We're tired of all these tales by moonlight.

Come back and tell us the result of your investigation and who (if any) will be prosecuted. Until then, just hide your faces from Nigerians.

Crownvilla:
The suspected bomber has been rearrested at the border!!!!       

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-850020.0.html

Re-arrested at the border? Just like that. Seriously, this is a joke. What nonsense is this? How are we even sure it's the same guy that was caught this time. Something fishy is going on here

At least GEJ got this right by issuing the 24 hr ultimatum. Nevertheless, the IG must be fired immediately.

debosky:
There is nothing new or surprising about the revelation  that Kaduna refinery runs on imported oil - that was how it was designed.

[b]It is designed to process 'heavy crude' as against the 'light crude' produced in Nigeria - this heavy crude is typically a Urals blend from Russia or possibly Venezuelan crude. The reasons for using heavy crude is to produce products like asphalt and base oils for lubricant[/b]s.

As for the conflicting reports between the minister and customs, it is not surprising - it just goes to prove that even the government is not clear on what is going on in the oil industry in Nigeria.

What is shocking however is that customs do not receive documentation on how much petrol gets imported - if we don't check at the point of importation, it is almost certain that any calculation of subsidy is going to be wrong.

Hmm you learn new stuff on this NL.  BTW, is it also designed to refine light crude? if so, any idea on proportion vs heavy crude  

sidebar:
One of the vexing issues, as I understand, is that it was built in Kaduna for political reasons; to pacify the north.  Somewhere closer to the Port makes sense

Very troubling and alarming statements. This Jonathan's team is not on top of things or just playing possum.


Inde also said rather than “smuggling” as mentioned by the minister, what was happening was “diversion” because large vessels importing fuel supposedly to Nigeria do not reach the country’s shores --  I'm believe Customs. wait a minute! I believe Customs; the epicenter of fraud/corruption. SMH.  You're a Minister and Customs tells a more credible story, that speaks volume about who you are        

She said the finance ministry authorises such deductions. But on Monday Finance Minister Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala denied authorising subsidy deductions. -- True hallmark of incompetence; they can't even get their story right

The petroleum minister also said the government was yet to arrive at exact amount of money spent on subsidising petrol as “we are still grappling with the figures.” She added that it would take at least four months to finish the computation. -- so where did the N1.3 trillion figure come from?

dayokanu:
Here is the fresh air we were promised

… But we got toxic fumes!

The precipitous fall in popularity of this President, is truly mind boggling. Yes, great leaders do take tough and unpopular decision. True that. However, this bone head decision to hike fuel price shows a weak and clueless man is at the helms of affair.

The real tough decisions are: tackling corruption in the oil industry, reducing wasteful spending and demolishing the scourge of Boko Harem. Instead, he heaps misery on hapless Nigerians.

Sadly, 2015 is just too far. There has to be other option, to get rid of this guy. Yes, Nigerians made a mistake electing him but doesn’t mean we have to be saddled with this kind of mediocrity plus 3 more yrs of toxic fume.

Beaf:
If GEJ had not told you about the cabals, would you have known about them?
It seems like whatever the man does, people are ready to hang him for some ulterior motive or the other. I don't think you can even begin to fathom the courage it has taken to pull the rug from underneath the cabal.

Its hard to understand how people can fight somebody that is helping them.

wow! this is a really warped statement. Jonathan swore to protect the interest of Nigeria; so he was only doing his job. Do you want us to give him a standing ovation for revealing a phantom Cabal?

The oil subsidy game was unraveling and he had to do something to protect Allison Madueke and his PDP gang. There are no Cabals. His buddies in the PDP & Madueke were almost caught with their hands in the oil subsidy cookie jar.

karl max:
1/9) > >>

Slyr0x:


Dear Lagosians,

For the past few days, I have monitored the developments related to the public protest against the increase in the pump price of petrol.

During that period, I have at the invitation of my colleagues in the Governor’s Forum responded to an invitation from the Presidency.

My role since last Monday till date has been to find a ground of compromise that stabilizes the polity, protects our democracy and prevent any loss of lives.

Inspite of these efforts, we were not wholly successful in preventing the loss of the life of a young Nigerian, AdemolaAderinto who was sadly shot.

I am truly saddened by that ugly development. While I condole with his family, I pledge the commitment of our Government to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice.

I have decided to address you today in view of the very disquieting developments that occurred overnight especially the deployment of soldiers across Lagos.

I have the highest respect for members of our military, especially because they have made a contract with all of us that they will willingly lay down their lives whenever it becomes necessary to do so, in order to protect us.

This covenant is instructive, because soldiers did not sign up to stop us from expressing our grievance about things that we are displeased about.

It is not disputable that the citizens who have gathered in several parts of Lagos like Falomo, Ikorodu and Ojota to mention a few have largely conducted themselves peacefully, singing and dancing while they expressed their displeasure at the way that we have taken decisions that affect them.

That in my view should not offend those of us in Government. The majority of these people who represent diverse interests have not broken any law. If they have, it is my opinion that in a constitutional democracy, it is the police that hasthe responsibility for restoring law and order if civil protests threatens the breach of the peace.

This is not justification for sending out soldiers to a gathering of unarmed citizens. Every one of us, or at least majority of us who hold public office danced and sang before these same people when we were seeking their votes.

Why should we feel irritated when they sing and dance in protest against what we have done?

For me this is not a matter for the military. The sooner we rethink and rescind this decision the better and stronger our democracy will be.

If anything, this is a most welcome transformation of our democracy in the sense that it provokes a discussion of economic policies and this inevitably may result in political debate.

I therefore urge the reconsideration of the decision to deploy soldiers and implore the President and Commander-in-Chief to direct their withdrawal from our streets, I must also emphasize that the rights of free speech and protest is not absolute. They impose the duty not to break the law, breach the peace, endanger human life or destroy property whether public or private.

They also impose the duty to respect the rights of others not to support our protest and indeed to support what we oppose. At the end of the day, it is a contest of ideas in which the most persuasive will get the endorsement of the majority of the people we serve.

I am convinced that our democracy is mature enough to accommodate this. We must do our best to ensure that it does.

God bless you all.

BabatundeRajiFashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State

MR fashola
But he used police and area boyz to distrupt a peaceful protest against the lekki toll gate a protest that was more peacefull than the subsidy removal protest!! He also used the police to beat and arrest innocent students who protested the increase in the lasu fee. Why didnt he make a statement when area boys were looting peoples shop and putting up check point to extort and robbed people. Take about HYPOCRACY.
The militry is in lagos to maintain law and order since the chief security officer has refused to do his job
Hypocrite fashola!!!

Let's stop comparing apples with oranges. Deploying troops on the street is a different ball game from asking the Police to maintain peace during a protest. During any protests in any part of the world, the Police are always present to maintain peace.

Fashola's statement is on point and supports the tenets of true democracy.  Jonathan's action on the other hand is a real threat to our democracy

This is the script all along by Jonathan: Jack up the price, enter fake negotiation with a weak Labour union and then bring the price to N100. This is the crap they want us to accept AGAIN

Nigerians must be resolute. The issue is not only about reverting petrol price to N65 but demanding more accountability. The protests continues!

Why did they spend N1.3 trillion on subsidy in 2011?
Will they cut down on waste  in 2012 budget proposal?

Clearly, this announcement by Jonathan shows it's still business as usual by same set of politicians. The business of fooling Nigerians while plundering the oil wealth

And this is fresh air? Feels more like toxic fumes

Lujan:
N/ls, pls be optimistic. Govt can do dis thing.

The pessimistic comments on this post reflect the irrevocably broken bond of trust between this government and Nigerians. An announcement that refineries will be fully operational by November has been greeted with so much derision and scoffing.

Can you trust this govt to do the right thing for you? For most people, the resounding answer is No. Even people in support of this move by GEJ, do not believe him in their hearts of hearts.

folks pls ignore my last comment. I mistakenly posted it on the wrong topic. oops!

Fhemmmy:
So is there a way forward at all?
I have always known we have a problem, when we are not able to give light to the people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Amigo, the only way forward is to hold this Govt accountable. How? I suggest all Labour Unions (not Just the NLC) negotiate and demand a linkage between fuel subsidy removal and project implementation. Example:

20% reduction in subsidy starting in April 2012 for the next 5yrs. Yearly increment will be tied to tangible implementation of projects in key areas: completion of refineries, building of roads, Improvement in power supply etc. For instance, if by April 2013 an agreed upon project is not completed then Govt cannot increase prices.

Does the Labour Union have the stamina or will to stand up to this Govt? Sadly, I don't think so, but wish I'm wrong

The issue is not about reverting to N65, but ensuring Jonathan is held to his promise to develop our infrastructures.

Fhemmmy:
Yes, i do agree that Nigeria could do a lot of things and we dont have to depends on just Oil, but then we have govt that fart thru their head  . . .  Where would someone that is yet to even get money to drink gari get money to get land to farm or even eat to have energy to farm?

Amigo, the only way forward is to hold this Govt accountable. How? I suggest all Labour Unions (not Just the NLC) negotiate and demand a linkage between fuel subsidy removal and project implementation. Example:  

20% reduction in subsidy starting in April 2012 for the next 5yrs. Yearly increment will be tied to tangible implementation of projects in key areas: completion of refineries, building of roads, Improvement in power supply etc.  For instance, if by April 2013 an agreed upon project is not completed then Govt cannot increase prices.

Does the Labour Union have the stamina or will to stand up to this Govt? Sadly, I don't think so, but wish I'm wrong

The issue is not about reverting to N65, but ensuring Jonathan is held to his promise to develop our infrastructures.

Breaking News: Nigerian Oil refineries working at full capacity. Hallelujah! fantastic news.  

Waking up from my dream: abi na Story story?

Fhemmmy:
I just would like someone to tell us how come the refinery have not been fully functional before, is it money, is it human power or just selfishness and corruption?

This people can't tell even us why N1.3 trillion was spent on subsidy, and you want them to answer this kind question. The "C" word; that should give you a clue.

terrykarl:
reverting to 65 naira maybe politically correct but will amount to government committing economic harakiri,a compromise arrangement  of 100 naira per litre will do in the short term while government put the pallliatives in place

Why are we so quick to raise the white flag in this country? Why are you so gullible? Hundreds of billions of dollar have been budgeted over the years to develop Nigeria; result: zilch. And you believe $ 7 billion will suddenly transform the economy?

Well keeping on enjoying Jonathan's kool-aid

boy t:
I want the subsidy removed moderately, e.g 100Naira/lit. should be good for all and also to discourage unnecessary fuel smuggling outside the country. secondly,  Nigerian don't pay taxes enough, [b]so the govt. need money to  move the country to  a better standard. A little bit of sacrifices from the  citizens would also [/b]help, instead of sitting back and hoping for a magic govt to provide ALL amenities for free because we are OPEC member.

You really trust this govt to do the right thing? SMH

Govt is asking Nigerians to make sacrifice, yet billions of Naira has been allocated this year to feed Jonathan and buy him new cars. N45 million to read newspapers, over N1 billion to maintain Aso Rock.  

Get hold of this year's budget proposal and you'll quickly change your mind about making sacrifices for these thieving bastards

Labour union should only agree to a proposal that holds this govt accountable. It's not only about reversing it back to N65 but ensuring this Govt. keeps its promise to  

- A 20% reduction in subsidy starting in April 2012 and for the next 5yrs. Yearly increment will be tied to tangible implementation of projects in key areas: completion of refineries, building of roads, Improvement in power supply etc.  For instance, if by April 2013 an agreed upon project is not completed then Govt cannot increase prices.

- Cut in salary for all Federal elected officials. 25% cut in basic salary and 50% cut for all other allowances. Plus a firm commitment to cut wasteful spending in the budget. Allocating N18.5 billion for Aso Rock is a prime example.

-  An independent investigation into the N1.3 trillion subsidy for this year and overall oil subsidy regime. Forget that Senate investigation; that's just show and tell. I just don't know who can handle this

- Reject any palliative measures. We don't need that crap. This is only for Jonah and his boys to chop money  

This is the way to go; if not this govt will come back in 2yrs or 3yrs and  tell us the economy is collapsing and they need to remove oil subsidy

studyineu:
@occam, wots your own here. We have our own issue to face. OIL subsidy is not our problem and will never be one. So if you don't know what to say better close your mouth. Ah ah ah

l
Look nation of Biafra is dead. finito. let's focus on more pressing and important matters. Now oil subsidy is not your issue; but you benefited too. Men!

we dey talk about oil subsidy and its impact on the masses, you people are talking about a dead man. seriously, what's the matter with our igbo brothers?

989900:
Ahead of the tripartriate negotiation in Abuja involving the Executive, National Assembly leadership and the unions, [b]the Jonathan Administration is considering a mechanism aimed at subsidising aspects of petrol pricing and bringing down the cost to around N120 per litre or up to 20% subsidy in the interim.

Labour is also said to be willing to propose a shift in the commencement date of the deregulation policy from April to March subject to agreement and milestones. They are said to be disposed to phased deregulation.

These three items form the agenda for the meeting for this evening.
[/b]
--from this day http://www.thisdayonline.com/

We await final agreement. This govt proposal is a non starter and should be rejected by the labour union.

imagine all this wahala for N120 per litre. Really depressing. I have a bad feeling this labour guys can't stand up to Jonathan

OAM4J:
Anything above N100 should be a no no for now

seconded

LeoMax:
There is no going back. CPC and ACN party is going on daily at Gani's arena I guess,

This GEJ minister reminds me of the comical information minister for Saddam Hussien during the Gulf war

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27Oq5ot0ZI

989900:
Budget Office of the Federation Federal Ministry of Finance 1 2012 FGN Budget - Proposal FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA
2012 BUDGET


TOTAL STATE HOUSE HQTRS ALLOCATION:                                        18 344 524 169

PERSONNEL COST                                                                                  2 028 544 570

SALARY                                                                                                  1 646 866 288

SALARIES AND WAGES                                                                          1 646 866 288

CONSOLIDATED SALARY                                                                          1 368 213 359

OVER TIME PAYMENTS                                                                             278 652 929

ALLOWANCES AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION                                             381 678 282

ALLOWANCES                                                                                             210 651 612

NON REGULAR ALLOWANCES                                                                     210 651 612

SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS                                                                             171 026 670

NHIS                                                                                                                68 410 668

CONTRIBUTORY PENSION                                                                              102 616 002

TOTAL GOODS AND NON - PERSONAL SERVICES - GENERAL                   9 205 179 599

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT                                                           2 012 198 825

OVERHEAD COST                                                                                   7 192 980 775

TRAVEL& TRANSPORT - GENERAL                                                           1 674 811 793

LOCAL TRAVEL & TRANSPORT:     TRAINING                                              118 479 835

LOCAL TRAVEL & TRANSPORT: OTHERS                                                      605 303 573

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & TRANSPORT: TRAINING                                      164 022 554

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & TRANSPORT: OTHERS                                      787 005 830

UTILITIES - GENERAL                                                                              265 121 871

ELECTRICITY CHARGES                                                                                85 209 564

TELEPHONE CHARGES                                                                                56 483 025

WATER RATES                                                                                                42 941 329

LEASED COMMUNICATION LINES(S)                                                                80 487 953

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES - GENERAL                                                           1 332 637 265

OFFICE STATIONERIES / COMPUTER CONSUMABLES                              343 299 190

BOOKS                                                                                                        12 273 286

NEWSPAPERS                                                                                                45 081 353

MAGAZINES & PERIODICALS                                                                          8 703 967

PRINTING OF NON SECURITY DOCUMENTS                                              121 248 260

DRUGS & MEDICAL SUPPLIES                                                                      314 323 463

TEACHING AIDS / INSTRUCTION MATERIALS                                                10 741 419

FOOD STUFF / CATERING MATERIALS SUPPLIES                                      476 966 327

MAINTENANCE SERVICES - GENERAL                                                   2 438 638 672

MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE / TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT                      382 317 777

MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE FURNITURE                                                        53 387 659

MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE BUILDING / RESIDENTIAL QTRS                   1 736 208 393

MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE / IT EQUIPMENTS                                              137 827 111

MAINTENANCE OF PLANTS/GENERATORS                                                        15 215 500

OTHER MAINTENANCE SERVICES                                                              113 682 232

TRAINING - GENERAL                                                                              269 680 160

LOCAL TRAINING                                                                                        86 471 699

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING                                                                      183 208 461

OTHER SERVICES - GENERAL 0

SECURITY SERVICES -

CONSULTING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - GENERAL                                86 270 690

FINANCIAL CONSULTING                                                                                82 500 152

LEGAL SERVICES                                                                                          3 770 539

FUEL & LUBRICANTS - GENERAL                                                              168 722 871


ALL FIGURES IN NAIRA

Over N18 billion allocated for upkeep of Aso Rock and to maintain Jonathan & Patience, yet  they're asking Nigerians to make sacrifices

Some of the line items are just insane: 161 Million to buy new buses, N45 million to read newspapers in this age of the internet,  
N 173 million for Honorarium & Sitting Allowance (and what the heck is that!)

This budget proposal reveals a level of waste that's mind boggling. Iweala should be sent back to Washington for putting forward this budget proposal.    

Anyone supporting this increase in petrol prices should bury their head in shame.  Nuff said

hercules07:
@occam

Why u dey call my name?

with a heavy name like that, na only u fit do the job

Seun:
Fuel is primarily consumed in productive activities. It's consumed when you go to work every morning and return home every evening. It's consumed when you run a generator to power the equipment needed for your business. It's consumed when any product is transported from the point of production to where it's needed, e.g. veggies from the north to the south. It's consumed when you manufacture things. It's consumed by tractors during the practice of agriculture by farmers. You can't produce anything without consuming power, and most power comes from fuel.  

Subsidizing fuel consumption subsidizes the production of almost anything you can imagine. Even when fuel is used for pure consumption, like powering your generator to watch a Nollywood movie, or a Fan so you can sleep at night, it contributes to your mental health, which also helps your performance at work. So subsidizing fuel consumption is much smarter than you would initially think. Fuel subsidies are smarter than many other forms of government expenditure, because people will use the subsidized fuel for activities that benefit them most, whether productive or otherwise.

Good points. Yet Sanusi makes this hair splitting difference between subsidy for production and consumption.

Implementing this your idea in Nigeria will be a herculean task. I can see every govt official/civil servant becoming "mekunu" (poor man) in order to get more fuel vouchers. The bureaucratic cost alone will be too high