Land Use Charge in Lagos

In a bid to increase it’s internally generated revenue the Lagos State Government has decided to increase the Land Use Charge effective this month. This is the same government that wants to improve the cost of living of Lagosians by the tenancy law which has been ineffective in bringing down the cost of rent and the duration a landlord can collect from a prospective tenant.

More often than not, the cost of the Land Use Charge will be passes to the tenants by the landlords. This further shows the relentless efforts of all levels of government to impoverish Nigerians.

How ready are you for the next fuel price increase?

The last as not been heard or felt about fuel tax increase purposely called subsidy removal to confuse the common man. From all indication, the present government of GEJ will increase the fuel price again and I am looking at less than twelve months from now.

The earlier you accepted it will occur the best for you but what are you putting in place to cushion or stop the effect the hardship the increase will bring along? There are various options but a typical Nigerian will want a pay rise. With the rise in inflation, the profit margin of most private employers of labour has reduced so your employer is even likely to reduce your pay than to increase it.

The artisans and others in the informal sector will feel less impact as they can easily transfer the burden and bulk to the consumers. It’s just a merry go round which will go in circle and return to everybody. It the short run, the cost of living will rise.

The only option is to get informed and get involved in governance. This is a period of awakening for all Nigerians. This is a time we must educate ourselves on all aspect of governance. Each and every one of us should scrutinize all government actions and spending. This is a time to shelve ethnic or religious sentiments and demand for good governance.

Lest we forget that the purpose for the fuel price increase to N97 has not been justified. We have heard government officials speaking from all corners of their mouth in regards to it. The on-going probe sheds more light at the extent the government will get to in order to rip-off Nigerians.

The so called palliatives are what we should get basically since we pay tax, so giving us our right in exchange for hardship is not reasonable. We should watch out for all promises they made and weigh if the fuel tax increase was worth the troubles.

The government hasn’t shown any will to transform the nation and I for one don’t believe anything positive can come from this administration. This country is ours, and we should be ready to protect it from looters. When the opportunity arises, let’s not look at the disappointment from labour but let’s get out and be ready to fight for what ours. Let’s be ready to die for what’s ours

Fuel subsidy probe drama continues

Instead to keep up with the Kardishians I have decided to keep up with the fuel subsidy probe in local television stations. I can see Nigerians version of dumb Kim Kardishian in Diezani Alison Madueke. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the shameless mom, while NNPC, PPPRA, Customs and marketers complete the cast crew.

How can you explain the blame game going on in there? If not that I am a Nigerian and odd things are natural phenomenon here, I wouldn’t have gotten over the shocker that NNPC imports crude oil. Matters can only get worse when Customs boss said all importation by NNPC is without valid papers thus they can’t keep track of the amount of importation. The Ministry of Finance wrote Nigerian Customs Service warning them not to ask for documents because it may cause crises according to Customs boss.

It was also revealed that only N250 billion out of the fictitious N1.3 trillion was paid has petrol subsidy and yet we were made to believe N1.3 trillion was used to subsidize petrol during their argument for petrol subsidy removal. The remaining amount went into kerosene subsidy and private pockets. As at this morning I don’t understand if there is subsidy on kerosene cause it is never available in filling stations.

We may have forgotten the Oputa panel by now, but it is important we remember the shocking revelations there and today Oputa panel report has been swept under the carpet. Let’s wait and see if anything positive will come out of this panel. The first step in the right direction would have been to relieve the Minister of petroleum resources of her duties but trust Him not to.

FGN and Boko Haram is another ‘Police and thief’game

In a bid to reduce the tension and insecurity posed by Boko haram, the FGN has decided to sign a treaty with Boko haram. Or how do you explain what GEJ means by ‘it will fizzle out’? I find it disturbing that the government that wants to protect the life of its citizen is playing the popular children’s ‘police and thief’ with Boko haram. Because while playing ‘police and thief’ no one dies, it’s just a play till the end.

The capture of the Boko Haram spokesperson should be a water-shed in unravelling the mystery Boko Haram. But I was disturbed when he was sentenced to a few years imprisonment for a treasonable offence. The senator alleged to have been his sponsor has been granted bail and the case against the senator is now otherwise classified. I am sure he is somewhere in the national assembly today ‘making laws’.

The police few days ago arrested a Kabir Sokoto or Nuhu Muhamed, the suspected master mind of the Madalla church explosion. Less than twenty four hours the suspect escaped under the nose of our security forces. The president has given the IGP twenty-four hours to produce the suspect. So much for his show of loyalty to GEJ by threatening peaceful citizens not to protest. You and I know the IGP cannot produce the man. The only option is for him to batter an innocent man into accepting he bombed Madalla church. The other option is to claim there was a shoot-out and the suspect died.

I won’t forget that GEJ said Boko Haram members have infiltrated his government and the security agencies. So I accept the theory that says Boko Haram is government and government is Boko haram. I hope I don’t annoy anyone in power by saying it’s just ‘police and thief’?

We match on...

No one wants to topple the administration of GEJ. All the people want is a fairly good life. Nigerians no longer see good infrastructures as their right. The only incentive which the people seem to enjoy is petrol. Though the government claims it is been subsidized, some analyst refer to this claim as a hoax.

The just concluded strike with its protest raised issues beyond the fuel tax increase. The people decided to beam their search light on the government spending. A lot of wasteful spending were noticed which government has continue to ignore.

Several public political analyst and economist proffered solution to all issues raised by the people but instead the government used the military to intimidate and suppress the will and voice of the people. The government knows better that it ought to address all the issues been raised. Funny enough, among the demands of the protesters, none was even about their basic rights.

The government of GEJ ignored advice from all and even disregarded the NASS. The government would have gone down in history as the regime that pioneered the transformation into New Nigeria but with the help of the leadership of labour, the government administered a slow poison on itself.

The average Nigerian learnt that it could be heard and feared. This is evident by the show of cowardice on the part of government resorting to the military for help. The average Nigerian became an accountant cum economist within a week. People became conscious of government wasteful spending.

I appreciate all activist and protesters which I call freedom fighters. I won’t use the word comrade because labour desecrated that word and neither will i use soldier because it represent the tool to oppress. I salute your courage. I pray for the martyrs. We know your spirit is with us in this struggle. Like a mentor will say, we won’t fail, we won’t falter and we won’t fall. We match on despite all challenges.

If the end of life is death, does it matter if life is short or long? I ask you. Let’s not forget God did not promise us tomorrow. So let’s live and die for the truth.

Once again I salute all true and patriotic Nigerians who came out to Gani Fawehinmi Park to represent the truth.

The future of nigeria

Secession is definitely an option with the way things are going recently. The government is unresponsive and insensitive to the plights and pleas of the people. The general insecurity in the country is beyond the grasp of the security agencies.  The police is as usual assuring southerners in the north to ignore the threat by Boko Haram for southerners to return to the south. Militant youths in the south are also threatening reprisal attacks.

Rather than the government to tackle the insecurity, it decides to anger the people by raising cost of living. It’s so painful that our leaders at all levels are no different from each other. They all have one thing in common which is corruption. With the way the situation of the country is going on, if Nigeria breaks up are we going to entrust our destiny with this same set of looters?

This thought is just a wakeup call for us all. May be its not about secession rather it’s a fight against our leaders including the so called opposition.

Leaked speech of a president

Good day Nigerians. It’s imperative I address us all as regards the situation of the country due to the strike embarked upon by NLC/TUC and also agitations by some Civil Society Organisations which has been on for some time.

Nigeria our nation is going through some difficult moments and I call it a moment of transition. It’s obvious that we all have the interest of the nation at heart because it’s touching when people risk their lives while others lost theirs just to prove a point. The past administrations all tried to reposition the nation on the path of greatness but looking back their efforts did little to redeem the countries situation. We have travelled a long way to get here and I believe the people should be proud and happy to be citizens of this nation at this point in time.

After due consultation and in the interest of democracy this administration decides to revert back to the price of N65 for PMS. This won’t be the only step but all palliatives already planned will continue because these are the basic amenities government should provide for the citizenry.

We are well aware at the desperate fight to occupy public office. In order to correct this anomaly, we have decided to change the orientation from governance to service. Rather we have decided to make public office less attractive to business oriented men. Not only will I declare my assets but all other public office holders will be compelled to do so too. This is in line with our drive to fight corruption to the barest minimum. The relevant agencies have been directed to commence investigation and evidence gathering against the cabals who have been milking the nation dry in the name of subsidy. As I speak to you, the EFCC is studying the audit report on NNPC and all culpable officials with be treated according to the law. The anti-corruption drive won’t stop there but will extend to all tiers and arms of government. We Nigerians are ll in these and I implore each one of us to fight corruption in very little way we can. We can start by reporting members of the force or civil servants who engage in corrupt activities. I can assure you that all support will be given to whoever is trying to fight corruption.

Also as part of means to reposition the nation economically, the government has decided to cut recurrent expenditure by cutting salary and allowances of all public office holders by 50 per cent. This will be passed to the national assembly to rubber stamp. The civil service will be right sized and ghost workers will be expunged.

The issue on insecurity posed by the dreaded Boko haram sect has refused to die down. the security chiefs right now are preparing their hand over notes. We also call on patriotic Nigerians who have information on how to tackle the issue of insecurity to come forward. It’s our country and we should all strive to protect it from evil people bent on segregating us.

As times go I promise Nigerians will see visibly the efforts of transforming Nigeria. Let’s stay away from violence and come together as one happy nation we used to be. Let’s be like the PROGRESSIVES in kano despite of religious differences stood together to protect against the forces of evil.

Thank you Nigerians, for giving us this opportunity of steering the ship, Nigeria to calm waters.

Hunter Chinonso Rahman

When ‘Good’ luck turns bad

A lot of people were incensed by the grip on power by Yar’Adua or his wife. It was an open secret that Turai Yar’Adua was running the executive arm of government at the time her husband was sick.

Allegiances switched, and lots of people clamoured for the current President, GEJ to take the bull by the horn and mount the nation’s topmost echelon despite being docile. After lots of drama and lots of damage done to the presidency the mantle of leadership was FORCED on GEJ.

Finally the minority rose to the highest position in Nigeria and lots of people especially the southerners thrusted their hopes and life on GEJ. People loved him so much that we immediately forgot all issues of corruption levelled against him and his wife during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State. I know quite a few people who named their child ‘Goodluck’ due to his dramatic and lucky ascend to power.

Presently the man who had no shoes feels the only way to make Nigerians get more dividends of democracy is to increase the hardship (for a short time). A lot of arguments have been thrown around and the same people who once loved this man dearly loathe him so much now. It is said that there is a thin line between love and hate and his betrayal have made Nigerians to cross that line.

We should get ready for another round of christening for kids named Goodluck. I suggest they should be christened ‘Bestofluck’

Our future in our hands

A lot has happened within the few days of this year. Lots of prayers have been said by Nigerians but we woke up to another regime of failure, a regime of unfulfilled promises. Little did we know when we voted a timid Jonathan that he would this day ignore people’s plea against an unpopular policy.

We are now back in the times of placards and protest. Not that the protest and strikes are not effective, but people are  wary and don’t trust the labour leaders. The likes of Adams Oshiomole currently the governor of Edo State during his time as a labour leader took us through the path of strikes and on different occasions did not achieve the objective of the average man.

The insecurity posed by Boko Haram is still looming not even in the background but also on the front burner. The current leadership has continually lied to the citizens on the issue of fuel subsidy removal. They have listed the gains and also outlined their course of action from the money realized or saved. All Nigerians are tired of promises and no one is willing to give the government the benefit of doubt. Who would trust a government that has lied from the beginning and is still at it?

This is not a time to trade blames on who voted who or who supported who. This is a time to come together and say no to the ruling class. We shouldn’t expect support from the state government or media houses because they are all party to the whole ruse. It’s obvious the leadership are not there for us, because if they are, they won’t be forcing a meal we despise down our throat. It is our future and life that is at stake and no one will fight your battle for you if you are in the comfort of your living room. And for those who say we should go on with our lives, I hope your employers doubles your salary and allowance because our rulers just halved your money.

On the road to impeach Mr President

The House of representative conducted an emergency session on Sunday 8^th of January. The session was a charade and I laugh when I think of how rowdy and immature our representative can be.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement despite some representative supporting the ill-timed manner the executive removed the subsidy. The resolution by the house looked more like a plea with the president to soft pedal. The people did not expect but want the house to compel the executive to go back to the N65 per litre. By today I am expecting the house to proceed with the impeachment of the president. But in reality they are not man enough to do such. They are all partners in crime.

I also expected them to downwardly review their allowances but they did not go to that area. No one expects the lower or upper house to impeach the president, but the journey is on by the populace to impeach each and every one of the members of the house and the presidency. The presidents needs not worry about the senate impeaching him but he should get ready to be sacked by the people.

I wouldn’t want to be president come 2015

The current agitation is definitely beyond removal of fuel subsidy. Though the government is shying away from other issues such as corruption and the cost of running governments itself, all the explanation by government officials boils down the facts of corruption.

The government, from its approach tells us that it isn’t ready to tackle the corruption. The government officials are also reluctant to make public its salary and allowances and are in no way ready to take a significant pay cut. Please forget the 25 per cent basic salary cut announced by GEJ. It just amounts to less than 5 per cent of their take home pay.

The people are gradually starting to ask critical questions. People are now seeking for information which in time past they are not interested in. The government on its part is trying to shift attention to fuel subsidy which is just a fraction of the issue on ground.

The government may succeed in diverting attention from their corruption by reducing the price of petrol. The people’s response might be to back down on their agitation but it’s more like extending the judgement day. It may not happen during GEJs administration but it will surely happen.

The revolution should happen now to make it less violent. The longer the people endure the injustice the more violent there response will be. As for me, I won’t even think of being the president of a nation on the brink of precipice if the issues are not sorted now.

Hitting the wrong note

When the pianist hits the wrong notes while playing to music the music turns to noise. And as we know noise hurts the ear. This is the same scenario playing in the executive arm of government. The removal of the fuel subsidy is a stab in the back when consultation is still on-going. Whenever I look at the replay of the town hall meeting, I always look forward to the body language of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala when she was asked when the subsidy will be removed. She is such a liar and I won’t ever believe anything that comes from ‘Madam President’. I call her that name because I suspect she is in charge. Or is it because her life seems to hang on the implementation of the subsidy removal?

Everyone almost bought the arguments the economic team presented to us at the town hall meeting but the government due to its disregard for the people used its hand to scuttle what would have been a fruitful dialogue. The counter measures; the interviews by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on BBC is a desperate attempt to salvage a situation beyond their hands.

The advisers to the President are doing a bad job with the utterances coming from them and the president himself. It’s doing lots of damage to the person of the president as well as the presidency.

I can’t imagine the president calling those against fuel subsidy removal ordinary Nigerians while a minister called them ill-informed. I wonder if the presidential advisers ever say the truth to the president. Truth be told, the president is hated and his policies are not only unpopular but questionable.

The first step to take to redeem any situation Nigeria might be is to tackle corruption. This can be done by prosecuting the so called cabal. It’s stupid for a policeman to tell me ‘a civilian’ that the man going is a thief. The police should act and catch the thief not just telling me.

Read: Hitting the Wrong Note II

For this Nation to remain one.

Nigeria is at a crossroad and the step our leaders take will determine to a large extent if this nation will survive and remain. It’s imperative this is written, not to annoy or chastise those in power but serve as a wake up call. Though different activist have adopted confrontational approach and down to outright pleading, but also adopting the subtle approach to pass the message across isn’t totally a bad idea.

The presidency at a point painted a gloomy image if it doesn’t go ahead with its major economic plan of removing subsidy. Saying the government is neglecting critical issues is by no means saying the government lacks focus. It’s obvious there is a disconnect between the people and the government at all levels. At this period where unemployment, poverty and insecurity is at its highest the government is thinking of introducing austerity measures through its purported subsidy removal.

The economic team have been having sleepless night trying to sell the agenda to the unwilling people. Perhaps they have never been affected by past austerity measures or they have forgotten the pangs so quickly. The people are been told to sacrifice but we can see the leaders telling us to sacrifice are living fat.

The spate of violence, destruction of properties, killing of innocent souls and negative image of the nation in the international community should be a source of worry for the government. The average man has lost all hope the unity of the nation. The conscious Nigerian has no belief or trust in the leadership. The national anthem hardly makes any meaning to our children.

It’s in this nation that the followership has no say in anything that affects their life. The leadership claims it wants to set the nation on the right track yet the wheels which comprise the people are not carried along. Wouldn’t it be better for the government to appease the people? Shelving the proposed subsidy removal is not the only way to seek the support of the people. The people lost all hope and trust and these should be restored. Political post should be seen more as service to the people and this can be achieved by slashing salaries and allowances by more than 50%. Once politics is less attractive, we’ll see a reduction in the number of criminals and convicts who see politics has their means of livelihood

If the leadership of this nation is sincere about turning the fortunes of our dear nation around, it needs the support of the people. The populace and not the leadership are the ones feeling the pinch thus they know what they want.

Arik Air: Flight W3:272 to Lagos: By Nodesh (A guest blogger)

2:15pm: Arrival at the Muritala Muhammed Airport. Abuja. Joined long queue at the Arik Air counter

3:00pm: About to obtain our boarding pass and check-in our luggage. A lady was between us and the attendant. She gave the lady hers boarding pass for flight W3:272 to Lagos.

3.02pm: The untruthful attendant was economical with the truth. She told three (3) different lies.

She: You are late.
We: What? What do you mean by that? We’ve been here since 2:00pm for a 3:40pm flight and you said we are late.
She: The flight is fully booked.
We: What do you mean? We didn’t just buy these tickets. Our company bought it since Monday.
She: Another lie I cannot remember.  ‘Can I put you on the 6:00pm flight?’

It was later we learnt that our tickets were sold to other passengers at an extra cost. Anyways, our flight rescheduled for 6:00pm didn’t leave Abuja until 11:55pm. Not a single one of Airk Air personnel gave us of any reason/apology for the delay. By 10:30pm, passengers who requested for a refund were refunded. Those who loathed mid-night flights or were scared of arriving and moving around Lagos around wee hours of the morning requested for their flight to be rescheduled for the next day. Crazy enough, they were not placed on the first nor second flight – God knows whatever happened to them.

We boarded the flight around 11:55pm only to find out that there are lots of passengers (even a governor)  on that flight than eight (8) of us who had been raising dust at the Arik Air counter and held the manager who was about retiring for the day to ransom – ‘Oga u can’t go anywhere until we board.’