₦airaland Forum

I think the SE is not very active because this strike like I said from the outset is different. It is fluid and expansive. Issues flow from economic to governance. This uncertainty is a big factor. If it is a fuel price issue alone the SE as a block will be late to the party. They have the highest standards of living, the bulk of incomes are privately generated and exclusive meaning inflationary effects are easily passed on. Also the mentality is different. Past experiences have taught the region to be independent from government and its actions. When the scarcity started during the Abacha time fuel prices were the highest in the SE for extended periods. Over 150 a litre for months at a time.

I predicted what is happening now and I wish to thank the President and his economic team for what is happening. The worst thing that can happen to Nigerians is to have goverment in agreement with itself and with the populace. This is what corruption needs to thrive. What we have today is a split between the Executive and Legislature even within the same party. Split between labour and government even within the same industry and I hope split between government and the private sector. The pallying was becoming too much.

If Nigerians and government can remain steadfast and focused the country will emerge better. We can better our macro economics, privatise, reduce beauracracy, corruption and government costs, reform campaign finance, law enforcement, the judiciary and the society in general.

This is our finest hour. Let's not go sectional or religious. Keep the focus, bear the losses. Government must remain strong. Reform, don't relent.

[quote author=phuck_NL link=topic=844042.msg9945000#msg9945000 date=1326314863]Which kain yeye analysis be this. There are other biproducts of crude after refinining. Crude oil and Petrol are not the same. You don't just convert 1liter of crude to 1 liter of petrol. Ignorance is not an excuse. Educate yourselves people. The analysis above is flawed. Optimum efficiency or not, our current refineries can't satisfy demand[/quote]Noticed it too on several threads attributed to Tam David West for that matter. Quite ludicrous. Even Light Sweet cracks to no less than a dozen products from vapours, liquids and sludges. This is one of the reasons why there can be no advantages importing individual petroleum products as the margins vary and depending on the crude type PMS or diesel prices vary from one refinery to another. We have to refine locally to ever maximise the value of our crude and ever think of reducing petroleum prices.

Parnassuss:
I just checked the website of one of the mentioned paper companies and guess what, It looks like a paper company.
http://www.delmarpetroleum.com. This is hurriedly crafted site that no respectable eatery would be caught dead with, there is more than the smell of a rat here my friends.

This however does not absolve the subsidized importers, it only implicates the govt further.

Good hunting. This is the kind of thing that should be going on right now while the strike is on. More information is needed on this company and others including their activities. Pengassan will know more. They should name names and begin to compile figures. This is the only evidence that will bring persons to trial. Without it no one will pay and once the strike is over by whatever concession, it is back to business. Government must not back down.

There are no genuine ones amongst them. They are all in it. Like saying there are government contractors who don't kick back. Name them. Power, roads, etc. Even when they are owned by government officials they percentage out. Genuine businessmen steer clear of government and its businesses. That's why this government action is different. That's why this strike action is different. No one will come out unscathed. Reputations will be damaged irreparably among some government officials, members of labour and the participatory private sector. These are the groups that have worked hand in glove to bring Nigeria to its knees.

maryjames9:
Oga, e take e easy now
What about, the local government chairmen
The State Governors
The Ministers
The senators
The President and vice president themselves
The calabs have been successfull all these times cos some powerfull people allow them to operate
We are seeing the corruption in the oil sectors, what of other sector?

What has been acheived by this useless Government since he has assumed power?
Nothing
Obasanjo has acheived more than this nonentity. He's simply clueless

I want to ask you an honest question. As much as i am not in support of these cabals, if u happen to have info that there is a place u can sell a 65 naira pms for 190 naira, what would you do honestly?
The FG is trying to syphon money from innocent nigerians to pay for their huge debt with the IMF and World Bank and they are using these cabals as a cover.

They are trying to divert attention from themselves so as to get their motives achieved. They dont really have our interest at heart. They are failures and deceivers who kept on enriching themselves. I was watching the house of representative when a motion was moved to investigate corruption in the oil sector, they all voted against it overwhelmingly. Are we supposed to trust people who build huge house for a girlfriend in abuja?

Nigerians, your leaders are the thieves, not some business men who saw a leak in your policy and with the help of some top politicians opened your borders to sell the oil.

You cannot repair the Niger-Delta until the people there are involved. You cannot stop Boko-Haram unless the people there say no. You cannot have a revolution without the oppressed. You cannot stop corruption without an overwhelming desire by the people who are affected. That was why Buhari was kicked out promptly. His methods were unacceptable by government and the vast majority. Nigerians will handle corruption when the cost becomes too high and the country is totalled.

I've said it many times. Government people know us. They take us to the brink then palliate while the cancer remains. I hope this government can take us all the way.

No, SLS, Ngozi and GEJ donot drive tankers to the border or are they captains of super tankers. If they steal there is a network involved called cabal. Infiltrate its leaders or operatives to tear them down but donot be alarmed to see your loved ones there. It is the sacrifice necessary. And that's why it is so hard to fight.

We can already observe that some people are alluding to the fact that these folks are job creators and mass employers so. This is where the problem lies and this is why corruption is so hard to fight in Nigeria - because even lambs are involved but the holy book says if your hand causes you to sin do what. In Europe today they are saying gone are the days where corporations are too big to fail. The SLS we are trashing today did it in banking (his constiuency) and we still called him names then. There is no painless way to reforms. Men will go to jail. Men will lose their businesses. Jobs will be lost. Fuel imports will cease. If Bankole's dirty loan deal goes real viral how many more bank executives will have to go and how much turbulence will that create. In every sector it is the same. I dare say 50% of the Nigerian middle class is living a lie and are active accessories to criminality. If we are to investigate kick backs alone in the last 30 years and ask for a refund a company such as Julius Berger will be delisted from the stock exchange. Comrade Adams publically indicted Akintola Williams on its role in the pre NEITI oil sector audit. No one is saying nothing. Even BM Bruce came out to play 'Practice what you preach' while he is neck deep in NTA loot. What will happen to Silverbird if he will serve time. Ngozi was just looking at him. I wonder what was going through her mind.

Nigerians are yet ready for real change. The pie of revolution remains in the oven. The government must keep the pressure.

This is what we have been talking about. This is why government must not back down now. That is what they want, a quick resolution and back to the status quo. This incident and a couple of observed responses (will not mention not to derail) shows that Nigerians are beginning to become aware of the problem and broaden their perspective while others have begun to defend them just as many began to defend the Ibru's and Akingbola's. Too bad.

What they (the crowd) should do is to cook the man inside his house and make his life miserable. Some should remain to picket him all the way to his office and follow his operations as closely as possible. It is at times like this in foreign countries that a turncoat, a disgruntled former employee of his will come up with damning evidence of his company's activities. Someone should speak up - documents, flash drives, text/voice messages, photos. C'mon folks there's something out there. Be patriotic. Stand up and be counted. From custom officials, tanker drivers, loaders, admin officers, accountants. If you keep silent you are an accessory to these crimes and national economic sabotage. Let us have information to present before government. The pressure must continue.

Removal of subsidy remains the most effective tool to fight corruption and economic sabotage. Both Sanusi (a few months ago on plumpy overheads) and Ngozi (on the same matter since the Obasanjo regime) were not taken seriously by government - executives, legislature and judiciary and were not supported by the people - mass action so why should they not be relaxed about this matter. I'm sure after the show they will retire to their pads to have a beer and a nice massage by the pool. Nothing has changed. No new names of cabaliers (permit me) are coming out, no indicting photos of forged allocation documents and cross border smuggling as we have of shot protesters. Not a word from the House on sweeping cuts to their million naira a day allowances, no word from Federal prosecutors or the judiciary on their readiness to open new rap sheets and reopen old cases.

Fellow Nigerians that is how far we are from resolving this matter. Everyday that passes the criminals hold their breadth hoping the storm blows over. That is the worry. That we will end up shaking hands over a cesspit while the rot continues. Nigerians must choose between living in corruption or paying for it. Most of us don't want either so government should not move an inch.

This is what I tell my fellow Nigerians. There is more in life than money. What in the world can beat honour, legacy and a name that stands eternal. This is life.

If only there was a tonic to roll back the years. If only there was a secret of eternal youth, Arsenal will buy it for any price. Viva, vava voom.

[quote author=A-ZeD link=topic=842409.msg9928958#msg9928958 date=1326132527]No. There is only one transmission company which is presently located in osun state. this transmission company will buy up all the power from the generation companies and then sell to distribution companies. its at this point politics can come in.You are right[/quote]I still feel there is a need to have more than one transmission company for a few reasons. Electricity's chief adversity is distance and terrain and if the closest injection station to my power plant is way off it could be a huge burden to transmit over long distances assuming it is the generating companies that are obliged to do the link up, minding the fact that the high transmission voltages make flyover urban areas particularly prohibitively expensive.

This is where I think the thing became political and potentially dangerous. With a monopoly in transmission government can direct power away from markets by fiat without recourse to investment and economics which is anti-investment.

What they can do is to create a two track model as you have in the telecos - GSM and CDMA's so that if I have a small plant of say 50 meg in one remote corner I can transmit and distribute locally while the big boys - 2,000, 3, 4, 10,000 with deeper pockets can afford to go national because you have to realise there is a huge private spare energy cap among industry we can tap into temporarily until the main investment comes but these guys will not do transmission but just make a few bucks and exit the game when scale comes. I think it is worth considering.

Historical milestone no doubt but I only hope this is just a first step towards full liberalization of the industry. The 18 companies remain a monopoly within their markets and this is not good particularly when their composition isn't exactly known.

The model implemented by the government though desirable isn't as clean as that of the telecos and can stunt proper growth going forward however I don't blame government in this. The difference is that while NITEL was more or less dead on arrival, PHCN had been kept on life support making replacement clumsy, costly, indecisive and unattractive. The condition and terms on which a product goes to market determines how fast it goes and how much money you get from it.

Unfortunately a worse scenario is being created with any future privatisation or liberalization of the petroleum sector with the government unwilling to let go of their piggy bank and the public prefering vegetative sentiment on life support to the prospect of a clean break and a new life as we enjoy in the telecoms today.

Mojibola:
the govt fear these cabals, that is evident. Why they do is what i'm yet to understand,

OAM4J:
If these few people (cabals) are as powerful as you claim, more corrupt and powerful than the entire Nigeria Police Force and the government can not identify and deal with them, then we have a SERIOUs problem on our hands. Because I see them move into other sectors of the economy soon and prolly hijack the government.

I think we should declare Emergency in the presidency before they take over and before it becomes too late.

manny4life:
Beaf, they should make me Secretary for Police Affairs, you will see how I will transform the whole police using accountability and implementation of whistle blowers program.

Questions, questions, questions. Why haven't they been identified, why can't the Presidency investigate them. Why has the Lower House skirted the issue. Why can't anyone uncover them. Why is corruption so rampant. Well NLC is on show tommorrow. Will they mention names. Will they roll out a list of their suspects. I mean they run these refineries, they administer the maintenance programs. They man the ports, they record the fuel imports. They work in the NNPC. They certify these contracts. Hell is there anything the NLC doesn't know. Is there anything we do not know about these cabals. So what is the grave fear of them.

Nigerians.   . The good news is that they are already in every sector of the economy. Both in the government and private sectors and will soon manifest in street near you.

The government must not give an inch. The matter is still cooking and until it is done, They say suffering is good for the soul.

With all due respect to the Lower House this matter is way above their pay grade. They should steer clear. The Presidency must stand firm. Its not done yet.

The reforms have started. That's good. I urge government not to move an inch on this matter.

Ngutor:
We have all agreed that corruption is the main problem in this critical sector. Once this is not tackled things will never change. As it is now the so called cabal still get their full lucre, the difference being that government is asking the masses to pay for it. That is the masses subsidizing governments corruption and inefficiency. What ever postulations or theories cant change this truth.

Government does not import fuel, private companies do. There are some in government that encourage subversion and collect kick backs but essentially the cabal we speak off combines both private sector and government collaborators. It is endemic and that is why it is near impossible to uncover. You don't do this business without cooperation of the Navy, Police, Customs, DPR, PPPRA, perhaps NIMASA, SSS, union members NUPENG, PENGASSAN. From the clerk in the office to the tanker driver who trucks over the border and the private sector big boss oil giant CEO are all rewarded handsomely for their risk.

That is a large chunk of our economy, our law enforcement. Too many mouths to feed. That's why subsidy suddenly balooned from 200+ to 1.3. When these folks locked on this oasis of free cash they became a pack of lions on a fresh carcass.

If this sector is so highly infiltrated involving too many the best solution is to shut it down. No government can stop corruption. It is the peoples who will decide when the cost/benefit is too high and simply walk away from it. What the government has done is to bring that process just a step closer. So don't be like the NLC fight for the economy and not just your pockets. The Nigerian economy is bigger than any personal interests.

I think the exchange rate going forward remains uncertain in the short to medium term. No doubt the 1.3 trillion spent on subsidies - most of which was through deficit financing played a major role in last year's naira rate slide. Thus with an anticipated reduction in imports due to higher prices and the elimination of sharp practices I expect the naira to rebound. I also expect a more positive balance of trade due to short term import falls particularly in the area of consumer goods as personal budgets are trimmed.

However all this can as well be countered by capital flight from economic fence sitters, speculators and opportunists particularly if subsidy protests are brutal and prolonged.

Very uncertain economic times in the medium term. We've not seen such a shake up since the massive IMF induced devaluation of 1986-7. I think like a patient out of surgery we have to come to before success or not can be measured.

londoner:
The only issue, is that it was a sudden high rise in the price. Apart from that removing the subsidy is a must. The government does need to out measures in place asap, to help people deal with this especially those who are very poor or have very limited alternatives.

There is no need to compare Nigerian petrol prices with the UK, even in some neighbouring African countries, the price is comparable with what it is now.

Ghana has also just increased the petrol price, you don't see the Ghanaians protesting even though they know they have just now become an oil producing nation.

All the talk of protests across Nigeria is funny, when corps members were slain and people were being bombed, where was the call for mass protest? In all the many many years of corruption where were the calls for countrywide protests? Apart from the EIE protests when Yaradua was away. These protests were not sustained as far as I can see.

It is only because it is affecting people on an individual basis now that it is suddenly so terrible.

You should be thinking of ways to save money on petrol as others do, that is more practical than the usual screaming like banshees that Nigerians tend to do in the name of "protest", until they get tired or hungry and go home, never to return again.

Your government know you too well, they know that you do not protest out of principle, but out of temporary anger that passes with the passage of a short time.

Truth. And those that aspire for public office know this country better than the average Nigerian. They know this. The average Nigerian is inherently corrupt.

There's really no point in saying this. And for all the effort any administration desires to make military, civilian, democratic, undemocratic, north, south the common denominator is the Nigerian - the man who wants it easy yet is unwilling to make the sacrifices to make his society the utopia it should be. We pretend a lot and kid ourselves so its not worth discussing.

I posted sometime ago. What will you do if your job is sustained in a company or industry that directly or indirectly sabotages the economy of this country. No replies, no answer. We seem to feel our fortunes lie in the three thousand people working and residing in the three arms zone. But is that what makes for a country, a society.

When banks were capitalised what did bankers do with the money. This is not government matter. Civilian to civilian, private sector to private sector, you to me. A few years down the line where is all the money and the touted, glossy adverts in those prospectus. Gone. Stolen. Mismanaged. Lost. Billions lost. Who is protesting. Who is insulting. Who is vindictive. Where is NLC.

When the refineries were being run down who was doing the running down. Who ran down NAFCON, NITEL, NEPA. Who are the folks running and running down FERMA, FEMA, NAMA and other MA's. Why I'm saying so is that all these corporations have a direct impact on Nigerians they cannot see until a price is placed to get them working. We eat our cake ahead and scream when its not there tommorrow. Today you have NLC members working in various parastatals actively destroying them. They approve jobs not done. They collect bribes to push fake papers. They sign off defective roads, steal transformers, vandalise installations and ruin the economy. Tomorrow they come out to cast the blame on a select few and target cheap shots. Who are these people. They are our brothers, sisters, uncles, parents, pastors, former or present lecturers, benefactors, role models. Infact they are our hopes of battling government and surviving the fuel subsidy storm. But they are part of the problem.

As I watched the 'Channels' fuel subsidy debate I couldn't but notice the business barons present some of whom are actively stealing assess each presenter straight faced. Only God knew what kind of storm was raging through their minds. That is Nigeria for you. They are debating what they are causing. We are debating what we are causing. Sick society. I say it again. If you are on this thread and work for ANY company or government parastatal that is ruining this country. YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE NO RIGHT TO COME HERE AND PONTIFICATE WHEN TROUBLE STARTS. YOU ARE A PRIMARY CONTRIBUTOR. And I'm sure there are many here because this corruption thing permeates every strata of society. It is just because petroleum products carries more airtime.

A good man at a restaurant will look at the figures besides the menu before ordering. An unwise one will eat before looking. Even if subsidy is rescinded tomorrow it will not stop the rot and will not solve anything but give the can a good kick down the road. Nigerians did not see anything wrong in the billions paid as compensation to PHCN workers and NITEL (still unresolved) for years of mis-management. Who is footing the bill of this disgraceful loss. You and I of course. This is how our money goes. This is the real subsidy of the Nigerian state.

Funny responses.

Nothing more to add on this matter. Glad right pricing is in effect. Fuel doesn't cost nothing to product. Like any commodity it has a cost and a very high one to the environment and those living in affected areas. It is left for Nigerians to think and work out solutions to her energy needs. It was the right thing to do.

For proportional watchers recurrent expenditure is 47.4%. Interested to see the breakdown. The structure of financial management across most federating units look remarkably similar. Its just a matter of scale.

Cannot understand how that kind of diversity can ever be a blessing or project any kind of advantage when the scriptural origins portend a curse by God on inappropriate ambition. Can't we see that the most linguistically and culturally diverse nation - Nigeria struggles to weld her peoples together.

The cost of our diversity is very high and I think reducing not increasing the languages we learn and use is the better way to go.

No it did not happen until I see it. I see it but will not believe unless it is video probably with an authentic copy of today's newspapers. No there are no structures under the bridge. It crosses over water alone. No I'm in construction buildings are not permitted near buildings.

How anyone can say these things beats me. There are countless flyovers near buildings all over Lagos, countless kitchens, mechanic workshops refuse dumps, petrol tankers and other fuel harzards under bridges everywhere. Ebutte-metta water front has been like that for a generation. Fashola proposed to remove them after the last major flood that sacks them regularly and causes flooding right up to Yaba. Pity fire has stepped in. For those passing the 3MB and hasn't seen buildings underneath, learn to be more conscious of your environment as it could save your life. These are the guys that do the fishing when vehicles and passengers go overboard.

That's poor judgement. Haba she begged him now. At what age do these things cease to matter. She may have forgotten them letters as well.

That's the exciting thing about the Premiership you can't get anywhere else. Bottom beating top and upsetting birthday boy. Never say never.

I am surprised. Really surprised most don't have a clue as to what is happening. We really don't understand the country we live in and call our own.

lagerwhenindoubt:
Oh Mr. Eko. everyman is vigilant - unless you have been oblivious to wanton crimes in Lagos State. obviously you pick what you want to bash to discount everything else. but who else is surprised by this   Be Vigilant,  okay   So what is the State's responsibility and how are they fairing thus far. You are spending money on Security for your tax-paying citizens but you cannot measure the impact nor show anything in terms of performance. Wait -  let me guess what comes next? "What has PDP done abi?"      

Well I think security and law enforcement matters involve everyone be it terrorism, drug traffiking, armed robbery or financial crimes. We the people just have to appreciate the situation and meet government half way. For example the situation in Pakistan is clear. Both government and the people tolerate Al-Khaida. Nothing America can do about it. Intel there is nigh impossible. Americans are in love with their dope. Billions have gone to the Colombian government, production, export and consumption are higher than ever. We in Nigeria celebrate unfounded wealth, incentives for financial crimes from robbery to stealing. Buhari and Idiagbon launched the WAI in 1983 and he was kicked out a few months later, journalists rejoicing. The society largely gets what it tolerates despite government in most cases unless you have a totalitarian society like North Korea whereby a Boko Haram will be crushed without compromise. Try that here and even law enforcement will be split along religious lines.

What Fashola is saying in a nutshell is, look at what is happening in the and make a deliberate choice not to have the same happen here by being my police in your communities, on the streets because I don't absolutely have control over the security apparatus of government so I need good intel and time to act on it. The people then decide if their own security is worth the effort and discomfort of added vigilance and cooperation with the state.

Eko Ile:
This is why we need state police.

Exactly. How can you ultimately guarantee the instruments of which you don't absolutely control. Everyone knows that to handle this kind of insurgency you need boots on the ground. A cop on every street corner accessible in a whisper not the enemies of the people holed up in stations or harrasing the people they are meant to protect behind useless check points.

The present security set up cannot defeat BH. It is the lack of knowlege and practice that leads to the application of more brawn, collateral damage and escalation of the situation. Good intel and quality local policing helped the French governments defeat the OAS in the sixties. It has helped the British and Spanish government contain and subdue the IRA and ETA respectively. The lack of local law enforcement enabled Osama escape Tora Bora and into Pakistan though the CIA tracked him. The quality of intel and local assets presented Obama another opportunity which he took.

We need radical reforms in our policing and internal security to be able to handle this one.

Eko Ile:
This is why we need state police.

Exactly. How can you ultimately guarantee the instruments of which you don't absolutely control. Everyone knows that to handle this kind of insurgency you need boots on the ground. A cop on every street corner accessible in a whisper not the enemies of the people holed up in stations or harrasing the people they are meant to protect behind useless check points.

The present security set up cannot defeat BH. It is the lack of knowlege and practice that leads to the application of more brawn, collateral damage and escalation of the situation. Good intel and quality local policing helped the French governments defeat the OAS in the sixties. It has helped the British and Spanish government contain and subdue the IRA and ETA respectively. The lack of local law enforcement enabled Osama escape Tora Bora and into Pakistan though the CIA tracked him. The quality of intel and local assets presented Obama another opportunity which he took.

We need radical reforms in our policing and internal security to be able to handle this one.

It is a private company so it is not the public's concern and glad they know this and seek redress from their consulate. Yesterday it was Airtel, the other day it was Thisday, sometime ago it was Arik. Poor management in a poorer economy. Too bad.

Can any of them cook. I don't mind exotic Indian cuisine plus he/she is guaranteed free food and a clean bed.

Kx:
Wenger analyses for Eurosports for champions league even when Arsenal is taking part.
Dont see why Keshi should nt analyze CAN especially when Nigeria is nt taking part.

Apples and oranges. Club camp is closed in the summer months during the world cup, players not involved are on holidays so its only admin work for managers so its easy. Eurosport conducts those interviews in London. It takes very little times. Keshi will be away to South Africa upwards of two weeks probably three. Is he willing to relinquish three-quarters of his monthly tax payer provided wage when he should be grooming a new team ahead of the qualifiers.

If he has submitted a work plan then he should stick to it. If he hasn't one the NFF should give him one. We've fallen far behind our competition and should be working twice as hard to catch up and while our rivals eek out good match practice at the Nations we are busy doing analysis. Too bad.

Just reminds me of what happened to the Falcons Olympic misadventure. After the narrow lead in Abuja the ladies went to sleep while Cameroon gained good form during the All African games and sent the ever heady, complacent Nigerians home empty after the return leg.

In my primary school days the result you bring home decides whether it is long vac. at the beach or with a lesson teacher. These days hardwork and excellence is just lost on us.

thoth:
With the majority of Nigerians uninformed and ignorant of how world politics,world economics works and characteristics of capitalist and imperialistic economies, they will have to suffer more,be killed more and live longer in misery before such things make sense to them.

Abi O. Don't mind Sag and the others. They think everyone's tastes are similar. Why do wealthy men pay top dollars to be tied up and spanked.