Buhari & Nigeria’s future 2

Last week, we started a focus on the impending Administration of Muhammadu Buhari.We ended up by contending that majority of Nigerians continue to lack access to some of the fundamentals of life. We refer particularly here to features like: nutrition, potable water and decent accommodation

In order to effect a change in these important areas, there must be a corresponding change in the economy. As it is, the situation is rigged against the Buhari Presidency. This is because; the economy remains a monocultural one. More importantly perhaps, Nigeria remains static at the upstream phase of the oil industry. Some five decades after the discovery of oil in commercial quantities, Nigeria is yet to establish functional refineries and petrochemical industries. If we had viable petrochemical outfits for instance, these would feed into our manufacturing hub, such that we would be able to  cut our import bills to the minimum. Meanwhile, functional refineries would ensure that we do away with the nuisance oil subsidies completely. And if the General must know, the converse of the current oil subsides is deregulation. And we may therefore state here that  the type of deregulation as envisaged in Nigeria is import-driven deregulation. This is absurd.  The absurdity stems from the fact that Nigeria is about the only oil producing country which lacks refineries and therefore has to import refined crude. So, if the change that we envisage is to be decisive, then there must be change in our oil industry. Closely related to much of the immediate foregoing is that for years, our gas reserves have been dormant and largely unexploited. This is the time for a new team to come on board, and effect a change in this direction. Indeed, a programme could be put in place, whereby our gas reserves will be fed into our comatose power sector. Yes, power! Incidentally, this happens to be a recurrent issue which has successfully floored previous regimes, all the way from the second Obasanjo Presidency. Apart from the national and international embarrassment, a moribund power sector has continued to be a drag on our economy. Evidently, a lot has been done under the previous administration.

But such efforts have turned out to be insufficient. My advice here is that, what has been done should be studied with a view to building on it.

Meanwhile, in the area of other infrastructures like roads, rail and the sea, a lot can be achieved with a view to giving the much needed boost to our economy.  Two examples will suffice here. It is possible to get much better value for our money in the area of rail transport via the provision of more modern locomotives and rail gauges. Meanwhile, there is also the Badagry expressway. If the APC should be in control in both Abuja and Alausa-Lagos, then the perfect opportunity would have presented itself for the completion of this critical international highway which links Nigeria with the rest of the West African sub-region.

On another note, if the truth must be told, there is in a sense a sectional slant to the General’s victory over Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Therefore, the Buhari Presidency must reach out particularly to Nigerians in the South-East and South-South. And, if I may be allowed to state here, the feat of unseating an incumbent can always be repeated four years down the line if the Buhari Presidency fails to deliver. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.

There is also the issue of corruption. In this important area, the out-going administration virtually went to sleep. Readers may well remember here the rigmarole about the relationship (or indeed non-relationship) between stealing and corruption.

Meanwhile, the scourge continues to define or even undefine us as a nation. And to boot, even in the external realm, Nigeria and Nigerians have virtually become by- words for corruption. Luckily enough, one of the strongest points of the General is that he is deemed to have the capacity to contain this scourge. On this note, it is apposite to recall that the influential Journal in London, The Economist contended that General Buhari’s forte is his capacity to contend corruption. The relevant point here is: can the General deliver? He has to, if only because as touted, this is  his main strength.

On another note, the General is advised to pay due attention to some of the weakest and vulnerable in our society. I am speaking specifically here about pensioners. This was one area that could well have contributed to the demise of the Jonathan Presidency. A bit of background is necessary here. Virtually throughout the tenure of the Jonathan administration, there were repeated demands for the statutory 57 percent increase that was owed and due to the pensioners. After a protracted struggle, these elderly citizens only managed to wrest 33 percent from the Jonathan administration. There was thus a short-fall and outstanding of 24 percent which is yet to be paid till date. President Buhari should look urgently into this. Something tells me that on March 28, most of the 20-million strong pensioners, who went to the polls, did not have a positive disposition towards retention of the Jonathan Presidency. Need I say more, since 2019 is just around the corner.

Kayode Soremekun