₦airaland Forum

dominique:
Are you sure that traffic is caused by speed bumps? I can't see any in the picture

Passed there yesterday on my way to Goshen about noon. No traffic but it didn't make any sense to me and was sure it will cause a hell of a gridlock. Can't imagine why. The road (an expressway) is meant to be protected from encroachment rather than protect people from passing vehicles which I suspect. When you slow traffic in Nigeria you create 'market' activities which further slows traffic and causes more encroachment. It is a bad, viscious cycle. The government should rather insist on the 'right of way' (50 metres for an expressway) and push pedestrians and development back.

If I say I am not concerned about the long term viability of Lekki Peninsula, Victoria Island and others, I will be lying. What I wil do is to develop the holdings I have there and sell them within 20 years. Can't see willing such to my descendants. No one will take the ocean as his inheritance.

That is why you should NEVER live with your tenants and where possible donot share the same parcel of land with neighbours without proper evaluation.

Pffft....after renewing just last January.

Wack post(er), wack reportage, wack incident, wack family....and to think we are dumping the dollar for the Chinese Yuan....get set for more wackiness.

ceejay80s:
So....ir the economy is ok again and prices of building material falls, will he reduce the house rent back?
Help me ask am that question

Where have you ever seen the price of things fall. Inflation related price increases are irreversible. It is like saying the naira can become at par with the dollar as in the eighties. It can never happen no matter how good the economy becomes. For that to happen there will be years of deflation which is worse than inflation. For starters will you ever agree to a pay cut to help the economy?

The OP should know that the landlord is looking at the big economic picture. The value of his asset is declining, his purchasing power is declining in real terms so he must increase his income to keep up. If inflation is 12 % year on year. Expect another rent hike in January 2019. It is only fair. He cannot subsidize your life. He is not government.

Quakertellicus1:
Well....eventually,we have to remove subsidy to ensure that fuel marketers get enough cash to buy dollars at parallel market rates to import.

While we use the savings from the subsidy removal to increase domestic refining capacity.

Of course..there would be an initial increase in prices....but eventually, competition would bring down prices.

Either way...we have to increase local refining capacity.

Singing a new song. I knew you guys will face reality sooner than later. Took a few days off work for family. Went out to queue personally for the first time since January. Got in line by 6:30 am. Bought fuel by 10:30 am. 4 hrs in a queue no longer than 150 metres. Why so long. Corrupt policemen at the gates. Nigeria can never change. Keep the deceit.

Just when you think you've heard it all and that this beloved country has hit the basement, yet another.....ghost referee....sighs.

fejicruz:
The thought of shifting the responsibility to NJC is so irrational. National Judicial Commission has no business with investigation and prosecution of criminals whatsoever. The function of NJC is to regulate, supervise, recommend for appointment, promote & discipline erring judges.
How can that duty be extended to the EFCC? It's sick

It may benefit Buhari in the long term as a future president may use it as a tool against him. Anyway I am not surprised at the Legislative push back. Very soon the Governor's Forum will be relaunched as another power bloc. Interesting times ahead. Said it will not be a cake walk for Buhari. Said only restructuring is the panacea to the decline in the nation. Said this country is not a one man show. Said the future of this country lies in our collective will not in political parties, strong men or our half baked, comatosed institutions. Said we should change the game rather the players. The same APC majority giving the leader of its party a migrane, siding with the opposition to truncate their party's mission and manifesto for personal gain. That is the reality of Nigeria.

201320142015ob:
. . . . . . “Some former leaders died and went to hell.
The British leader asks the devil to allow him make
a phone call to London to know the welfare of his
people. He spends five minutes. Satan bills him
$5000.The United States leader makes his call for
eight minutes and Satan bills him $8000. The Nigerian leader calls Abuja and spends two hours.
He is briefed about the fuel trouble, Boko Haram,
kidnapping, budget brouhaha and the anti-
corruption war. “After his call, he asks Satan, ‘How much is my bill?’
Satan replies: ‘Your bill is $1.’ Surprised, the Nigerian leader says: ‘How come my
own call is cheaper than the other two leaders’? I
stayed longest on the phone.’ Satan, smiling, replies: “What’s the difference?
Calling hell from hell is not expensive; it’s a local
call.”

Hahahaha. Laughing from a very long fuel queue along Airport Road, Abuja.

tunjijones:
I don't knw what transpired BTW u and that woman at national assembly but when I was going home on the said day from work, I met u convoy on my way home from work around city gate. Though its wasn't 20 cars in ur convoy, its was abt 4 I saw, but the men in ur convoy were unruly. They were swiving from one side of the road to another so that no car could over take them. The police in ur convoy even pointed their gun at Me when I tried to overtake the convoy

Can you imagine. Just who do these people think they are. They've seen what the COAS got away with in Zaria and now they all want to do their own blood sport.

I think this warrants his resignation no matter which way you look at it.

YOLO1:
Is Ben BRUCE the only senator at the senate? We shouldn't pinpoint him for the excesses of NASS. He is not the senate president. He doesn't even have a major post dia

They don't understand because democracy is new here. In the States when people want to do things, be it gun violence, oil spills, indigenous land rights, industrial pollution, automobile defects, whatever, they start by gathering signatures on a petition and this goes to their rep who sees this and after countless meetings pushes this forward in the House for consideration. That is how individuals influence things in a democracy. Or gather signatures and petition the ethics and privileges committee. But to descend on one Senator out of 109 for not stopping a widely accepted benefit without even a petition is just ridiculous and any card carrying member of the APC who is complaining should be doubly ashamed that it is a PDP senator taking a risky moral stand at that.

omonnakoda:
Whether it should be a full time job is another debate and another discussion . That is not relevant here

So the Senators from Lagos Should keep quiet about Boko Haram because it does not affect them? That is upside down Logic . Senators have a responsibility to their constituents and to NIGERIA . I repeat TO NIGERIA . That is what they swore to. So unless you are telling me otherwise senators are NOT ONLY responsible to their constituents but to NIGERIA and ALL NIGERIANS. Why should a senator from Imo state be concerned about Chibok Girls ? By your logic it is not their business

The fact is that all senators represent all Nigerians, The Senate makes laws on issues in Epe or kaura Namoda, is it only those from Kaura Namoda or Epe that vote on suuch issues? When Lagos State applies for Foreign Loans is it only Lagos Senators that speak.
This specific issue on cars is there a kaura Namoda jeep or an Epe Jeep. Is the opportunity cost of the jeep not affecting everyone.
Let me explain a ver simple concept to you > It is called precedence. If a course of action is proposed and it does not directly affect a senator's constituents at that time and he fails to oppose in the future when it is attempted on his constituents it will be too late. There are few federal laws or actions that are so limited in scope or territory that they do not affect everyone. Finally NO ONE SENATOR can pass any law or take any action without the involvement of others. There is one Senate and NOT 109

Whether you like it or not, a Legislator is responsible to his constituency. That is the premise of this system of government. Have you heard of the term 'national interest'. This is where the likes of Bokoharam, the Olympics, JAMB, etc affects a typical lawmaker: 'as they AFFECT his people so his interests lie'. That is why on typical motions votes are taken. The Executive doesn't vote on issues because it has a fixed stand driven by campaign promises and party manifesto to deliver but the Legislators vote because they are a 'reactionary' arm of government. They take stands in accordance with the interests of their people and in doing so make laws or set aside laws that affect their people. Bruce will/may support an anti-bokoharam bill because of the consequences of its spread to his region, because it could threaten his institution and because his people serve under arms. When the ND militancy was churning, SS states through their reps asked for many things, they got some enough to pacify but not all they wanted in the interest of other parts of Nigeria. Have you forgotten on-shore/off-shore. Was it not a national issue but each side took a stand in the interests of his/her people. That is what the House is for. To represent your interests not to compete with the Executive for governance. So like Ben said, 'YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SUV's. HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR REP'. Do you even know him or her. Governance does not start and end with Buhari, Saraki, Dino or Bruce. We must learn how things work if not the kind of frustration you exemplify will continue.

Quakertellicus1:
If he devalued, on the other hand...things would get worse faster.

You have no problem speculating. This thread is for those who have an alternate view on this matter. You have nothing to worry about, Mr President has got your back.

Flets:
While I care less about western media position on our economy. ..... its more painful that I can't justify my position by clearly pointing to Buhari's plan to revitalise the economy.

That is what people are complaining about. You have taken a policy position, the nation is bleeding. What is the solution. None. Currency swap today, denial tomorrow, foreign loans today, denial tomorrow. We fail to understand that the world of finances work on both fact and perception. And they go hand in hand.

Quakertellicus1:
The summary of the article can be encapsulated here...



What they don't tell you is that loosening foreign exchange controls works....for a while. If we are not earning enough forex to replace the forex lost by the loosening of the controls.....we could enter a state where our savings account is drained down to zero....and we are left with no option but to take a big fat IMF loan that would take decades to clear off again.

And we should also not forget the massive devaluation of the naira that would result...leading to marked increase in prices....and inflation.

The article is just a big and unnecessary advert for loosening the controls. While at the same time it pretends that there would be no side effects of loosening the controls. Bad economics...bad article.

Your president says he won't devalue so why worry with all your postulation. Are things not getting better.

omonnakoda:
Nothing obvious there Senators represent all Nigerians not just their constituency. Yes on issues that are sectional they represent sectional interests MAYBE.

This particular issue ..........is not a BAYELSA issue.
Ben Murray Bruce has made noise on all kinds of issues and I hardly remember any of them having anything to do with Bayelsa

No sir. He represents his Federal Constituency, the people who voted him. Did you vote for or against him. He also represents the Senate if appointed into committees to handle functions of oversight. Hd also represents his party on issues for and against party positions, manifestos and interests. How Bruce represents someone in kaura Namoda or Epe befuddles me. It is the Executive that has pan-Nigerian responsibilities. Ben Bruce did not swear to the Nigerian flag at Eagles Square. That is why I have always advocated for the Legislature to be sponsored by their constituency to represent them in Abuja. It should not be a full time job and the Executive who they check should not hold the purse strings.

ndcide:
Oh my my my goodness

Mr Bruce just has a way dropping the bomb. Actually what he said is common sense.

After all, Madam Oby was not asking him in good light. She was being too personal. Like a sycophant.

I think some people just can't believe that Mr Bruce does not align with them politically yet makes so much sense.

They just wish Mr Bruce was a buharideen or a zombie. So the get annoyed at him for no reason.

One question for them, Bruce grew up in Lagos.

If he goes head to head with remi tinubu, for that senatorial district, who will you vote for. Just say the truth.

This is a very serious question that has defined Nigeria for better or worse. Answer and you will know why Nigeria is like this.

OlujobaSamuel:
this Bruce Ben Ten is only clever by half. He should please recite the oath he took when he was sworn in and tell us who he owes allegiance.

Every public office holder bears allegiance to the nation but this issue at hand is one of interests. If Bruce pushes a motion for 50% derivation what do you call that. Will northern senators vote for it, no. Can you question their allegiance in that case, no. They are merely protecting their and their constituents interest. You will be surprised that a certain senator may be so loved or his people so carefree that they may feel the car in question is not enough. That is democracy. You will not be able to do nada. Yerima's people saw no big deal in the child bride brouhaha.

hardywaltz:
Ben Bruce Obanikoro is just a Clown

When it's time to make noise on national issues he wouldn't confine himself to his issues that affects his constituency now that he has been asked a simple question he hides under the "I'm not the Senator representing you".

But he is giving you a headsup, democracy 101, that your power doesn't end with your vote and the closest you are to the driver's seat relates to your representative. When you leave them and hound the executive you are essentially barking up the wrong tree. Now quit sentiments and learn. Democracy is doubtlessly on the up.

The truth is that Bruce is there to represent his constituents and their interests alone. His secondary duties are to represent the Senate on issues of oversight. HE DOES NOT REPRESENT NATIONAL INTERESTS OR IDEALS. That is the job of the Executive.

phantom:
DPR does not exist in PH........every marketer behaves as they like. NNPC franchises buy the product at normal price,siphon it and move to their other outlets to sell at 170/180 bucks per liter.

make i repeat am.......MAKE JESUS CHRIST AND HIS ANGELS PRESIDENT AND MINISTERS/PARLIAMENTARIANS RESPECTIVELY,THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT CHANGE.


YEARS AGO,it was purely a leadership issue,now,corruption has found its way down into the very masses themselves.
unfortunately,we can NEVER move forward BECAUSE WE ARE NOT A NATION.

Only a UNITED nation(irrespective of tribe and religion)can elect good leaders.

if this present democratic system continues unhindered for another 100 years,nigeria would not have made any progress.

**rant ends**

Exactly. Let them be dancing around, playing political bingo with their destinies. Unless this country is restructured, it cannot change.

mrvitalis:
The president should declare a complete state of emergency on the downstream sector

Marshall out the military to take over sales and distribution till things normalises... this markers are thiefs and DPR are bigger thiefs

....because soldiers don't collect bribe abi. Told you chaps, privatisation is the only way out. What government/DPR involvement in petrochem should be as limited as NCC's to communications.

Larryfest:
Op u forgot 2state dat while d reflective glass(d one u can see pple 4rm inside bt dey cnt see u)hapns 2b best it also hs a disadvantage cos wit time d mirrow side tends 2fade away as a result of probably rain/sunshine and d it loose its beauty

The knock offs, cheapos coming out of China.

My issue or challenge with windows is the 'thing' called 'protectors', embedded metal grills that make the building quite frankly look like a cage or gaol.

My question is, why haven't architects, builders and designers come up with aesthetic solutions to window openings that guarantee both security and safety. How many lives will be lost to these so called protectors when fire calls.

My advice: Just as we have evolved to remove protectors from doors by the introduction of the 'armoured' door, why can't we have armoured windows like we have for cars, bank cubicles and doors to replace the so called protectors.

Corruption is in our DNA. What do you expect. And they will be the most vocal against others.

BodyKiss:
I tell you. There are all eager to criticise the government, whether good or bad, just give them a misleading headline, and that's it.

Misleading what! The markets are talking with their feet and you are yarning semantics. Who cares about government or politics. The naira is retreating, period. Those who have fx are not sentimental and will not stroke your political ego. They punish uncertainty. Fx policy - neither here nor there. Budget - neither here nor there. Fiscal policy - in disarray. Nothing is working. No direction, no momentum, no plans. What the hell....Bleep! Bleep!! Fucking kindergarten kids playing around!! So, so frustrating these people.

bigtt76:
Partisan politics aside, you're thanking someone who added to our problem?

We are currently facing this issue now because of the following

1. Low oil revenue - Not caused by Jonathan
2. Not saving excess oil revenue when price was very high above budget benchmark - Caused by Jonathan and all greedy governors then
3. Trying to defend the Naira against the dollar so the people would not face the reality resulting in the foreign reserve depletion - Jonathan to be blamed here
4. Mis-managing of the little foreign reserve left - Again Jonathan and crew to be blamed (Dasukigate evidence)

In the face of the scenarios listed above, the presentation to government has refused to defend the Naira because doing great so would have led to the country going bankrupt and not credit worthy to suppliers of critical imports.

What many do not understand is that the current fuel scarcity is a direct result of the foreign reserve issues we've been having. It only subsides when government is able to save enough to import in bulk so as to flood the market.

Conclusion, the issue would have been worst under Jonathan had he continued causecause, they would have continued defending the Naira until no more foreign reserve left.

And keeping the Naira at 199 to the dollar as against the reality of 320 is called what. Abeg go to bed and continue evading reality. One year has passed Obama is still blaming Bush.

adconline:
A -20 car convoy for a CG who's supervised by a minister?? Naija will forever be bankrupt. No wonder we are borrowing to fund this type of lavish lifestyle

I doubt if every car in the convoy belonged to him just as I doubt if such a ranking person will visit the dome without his deputies and in the Nigerian Overbloated Civil Service they will be many with each having a mini convoy of aides.

Almajiri1:
We pray things don't get to the level where we queue to get daily rations of sugar and salt.

Well unlike in 1984 thanks to Dangote we produce huge quantities of sugar and salt and are sufficient in cement. Our economy is more resilient and I cannot see Dangote closing (due to sentiments) but there are many more needs out there. That is why it is imperative government puts its interest second and supports industry for tomorrow by liberalising the fx market.

If government is comfortable in this freeze waiting for the thaw of oil price rises, it should know this; industry and investors cannot while bleeding away day by day.

Believe me. Higher prices is far, far better than no goods just as more expensive fuel is better than no fuel at all.

TonyeBarcanista:
The benefit are enormous though not immediate, it outweighs the suffering we are subjected to at present

I didn't want to comment having said enough on this issue but I want to correct a view here.

There is no painless way out of this. When a man is broke it must be as a result of bad habits. Devaluation is not a painless solution and its not a silver bullet. It is not a destination but a way and doesn't ride alone. What it does is that it enables the pain to lead to an expected end by keeping the economy alive, liquid while the transformation happens. What we have at present is unofficial devaluation with no benefit whatsoever. Those with access to cheaper rates will not seek to nationalise productivity, those without access and cannot compete will close shop. Less goods means more inflation.

So in effect the inflation of devaluation is a price/cost inducing one while the inflation of this present system is a productivity inducing one. Access to cash is a lot easier than re-industrialization. Once factories close it is much harder to get them back than when goods are merely expensive.

eitsei:
were you there when he made first his one naira? Maybe you want him to sit you down and tell you how he made it?

How did he make it. He was a civil servant.