Subsidy Fraud: Strike Will Protect Subsidy Scam And Looting Of Depleted Financial Resources Of Nigerian

It appears national interest and survival of the Nigerian Nation is no longer uppermost in the minds of some Nigerians, especially the political class.

National Politics and the mega money politicians earn, loot or steal tend to be their major focus. The love for country is waxing cold every passing day.

Instigating Labour Union strikes to paralyze our nation's economic seem to be the best option for certain yam head politicians. All they need is power, not minding the disaster it will cause the nation.

We now have some unpatriotic politicians in the 21st century who partner with and bribe Labour leaders to go on strike so as to weaken the popularity of the ruling government and use the ugly consequence associated with retrogressive strikes to garner political strength to take over government in subsequent elections.

These shameless lawmakers engage in show of shame in the hallowed Chambers live on cameras. They dent our nation's image before the entire world.

The hike in pump price of petroleum products particularly PMS (PETROL) cannot be questioned by any right thinking citizen of this country at a time price of crude oil at the international market is below $28 per barrel as against $100 per barrel during former President Jonathan's administration.

There was subsidy debate during the early part of Jonathan's leadership where it was discovered that young school leavers and few well connected individuals collected billions of Naira from the national treasury without importing a litre of fuel into this country.

The debate went on for days at the House of Representatives and was televised live. Before the committee's open findings died a natural death, Nigerians saw how some 6 months old companies looted national treasury in billions of Naira via subsidy payments and the people of this country wept..

The subsidy saga also terminated the political career of some members of the House of Representatives accused of receiving thousands of Dollars in bribe money from Oil business mogul, Femi Otedola, in connection with FUEL SUBSIDY public hearing at the NASS.

Till date, the fuel that the federal government is subsidizing finds its way to neighbouring countries in Africa at the expense of the Nigerian Nation. Less than 20% of imported fuel is used domestically while 80% is diverted.

Who bears the losses and financial burden? The Nigerian people, the Nigerian worker. And what did Labour do about this naked fraud? Nothing!

Those taken away the subsidized fuel across boarders as well as those collecting subsidy funds without importing a litre of fuel are now sponsoring the Labour unions to revolt against genuine intentions of the APC national government to boost our national economy. What a pity!

The question is: How long will it take Nigerian leaders and Labour to stop subsidy fraud in this country? Whose benefit is it if subsidy is allowed to remain in our national budget? Is it the poor masses or the wealthy few that capitalizes on subsidy to suck our national treasury dry? What role has labour played so far in ending subsidy scam in Nigeria?

The organized Labour must provide answers to the above questions. It is not enough to say "We must go on strike" it is reasonable and fair for Labour to tell us who the major and principal beneficiaries of fuel subsidy are and provide permanent solution to the scam.

If the truth must be said, removal of subsidy is long over due. President Jonathan ought to remove it after it was revealed to the entire nation that subsidy is one of the major conduit pipes deployed to drain our financial resources.

Some young men less than 26 years old appeared live on television during the House of Representatives panel on subsidy led by Hon. Lawan and narrated how they received billions of Naira for doing nothing. Some confessed fronting for certain fraudulent political leaders of the then ruling party, the PDP.

President Jonathan ought to key into that deep revelation to commence massive national awareness campaign for the removal of fuel subsidy. He tactically refused to kill the monster called FUEL SUBSIDY.

He could not do it because of threat from politicians who were benefiting from fuel subsidy. Jonathan's 2015 political ambition to remain in power prevented him from nailing the fuel subsidy coffin.

President Jonathan felt that at $100 per barrel of crude oil, it will not be a problem funding the fuel subsidy scam, at least, to oil his campaign machinery and garner support of the political class in 2015. But it became one of the biggest mistakes of his administration. He ought to stop fuel subsidy.

It will be unreasonable for the organized Labour to now go on strike to further protect the wealthy class who are the major beneficiaries of fuel subsidy.

Nigerian workers do not process fraudulent payment vouchers to collect free billions of Naira from government monthly. It is the rich and the wealthy that consistently stole the nation's wealth through fuel subsidy.

Money that would have been channeled towards jobs creation and building of solid infrastructures throughout the country were looted via fuel subsidy payments.

For months now, Nigerians bought black market fuel between N150 and N200 per litre and heaven did not fall. We managed to survive.

At N145 per litre we should be able to survive pending total repairs of our refineries. Palliative from government already loaded in the 2016 budget will go a long way to cushion the effects of upward review of pump price of fuel.

Upon pumping fuel at 80% capacity from the three refineries plus minor imports here and there the masses will survive this harsh economic moments largely occasioned by low crude oil prices and PDP's 16 years of misrule.

The near future will be better than 16 years ago. The call for STRIKE ACTION by Labour is not the solution to the fuel subsidy scam. We must deal with it now and put the ugly monster away from our national life.

Aliko Dangote and other investors have commenced building of gigantic refineries which may resume production in the near future. With more refineries springing up to boost refining of Petrol, prices of fuel pump price will definitely crash and Nigerians will be the sole beneficiaries.

Let us bear this pains and economic austerity for a while for the sake of economic boom ahead of us.

President Muhammadu Buhari is a credible and transparent leader who will NEVER misuse the savings from fuel subsidy removal. Nigerian workers will smile very soon.

President Muhammadu Buhari gave out billions of Naira to various state governments as bailout funds to maintain their workers and cannot and will never subject the masses or workers to poverty and frustration.

Time to show that we care about the economic survival of our nation is now. Labour strikes will only protect the healthy political class. They are the major beneficiaries of fuel subsidy scam.

Federal Government should engage Labour to arrive at a reasonable decision that will be for the good of all.

T.his strike is avoidable and must be avoided. We must join hands with the federal government to grow our economy and save Nigeria from economic collapse.

Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe is the South-South Media Director of Grassroots Mobilizers for Buhari (GMB). He wrote from Asaba in Delta State.