Are you aware that most Nigerians do not even understand the whole saga about fuel subsidy? The average Nigerian worker is totally confused how he/she benefits from removing /maintaining the controversial fuel subsidy. Every time the issue of this fuel subsidy comes up, we hear all kinds of ghost stories and the confusion keeps getting hotter and hotter for Nigerians to really comprehend. The only time Nigerian workers get to grab a little meaning of fuel subsidy is when their transport fares hikes up and they see endless cars waiting to buy fuel at a very exhorbitant rates and the yellow cans boys lining the streets with pipes and running after cars even on very major express roads creating accident hazards.
In December 2015, i watched Dr .Ibe Kachikwu on T.V being questioned by the media about the present Government stand on fuel subsidy and the man was enraged to even use the name ‘subsidy’. He got tired of using the name subsidy and more interested in solving the problem because it looks like this name ‘subsidy’ has different faces and meaning . He told the press that his concern is to solve the problem so that Nigerians can buy fuel at cheap prices at ease and not interested in removing or maintaining ‘fuel subsidy’ . I saw his fraustration because the heat was on him but being who he is, he avoided all the media ‘verbal bullets’ fired at him and was able to riggle out the total mess. At that moment, i asked myself, who would ever want to be in this man’s italian shoes?
I think the old General did not make a mistake choosing Ibe Kachikwu for this present job he is handling. If you disagree with me….(bring-it-on). During the tail end of the fuel subsidy last year(someone please baptise fuel subsidy for me) the Petroleum Minister was composed and articulate at all times and walked his talks any time the press/media ambushed him. I am also tired of using and hearing this word- FUEL SUBSIDY because it always connotes –DIFFICULTY for Nigerians so can Dr. Ibe Kachikwu give us a more pleasant name for fuel subsidy? I am not leaving the LABOUR authorithy (NLC) out of this because the issue gets more uglier each time Nigerian Labour Congress comes in . The next thing will be grounding Nigerian workers to stay at home for weeks/months like they did last time shutting down the economy of Nigeria. The last time labour dealth with Ex. President Jonathan on this issue, workers got tired of staying at home and even got angry with labour for creating workers down tools for several weeks or even months…..(labour should find a better means please) no more strikes upon strikes…this blows and the people they claim to protect and defend at the end suffers. Does this make any sense? Absolutely not!
The fuel problem in this country is a very big challenge to the present regime and if they fail to solve it this time, i bet you we are jinxed. We have the best team presently to put this ugly fuel nightmare behind us and Nigerians will forever remember Dr.Ibe Kachikwu if he can stand tall in the middle of raging storm surrounding the rubbish happening in the oil sector of Nigerian economy.
There are so many names and subsidiaries we hear and do not even understand connected to NNPC. Most Nigerians do not honestly understand which subsidiary does what or responsible for what. Jeezzzzz…..Nigeria is sitting on a keg of ‘hot-oil-explosion and the time to put out the fire raging in NNPC is now.
The question most Nigerians ask is –why every Government that comes in gets stiffled by the word- building/maintaining Refineries. Most Nigerians are not even aware we have dormant refineries. Why is the issue about stopping importation of fuel so delicate and complicated for most regimes in Nigeria? This is a very vital question for Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to answer for Nigerians like jaclyn Iwu. We learnt the gentleman and his boss has decided to work on the old ancient marina refineries that has been abandoned for years by previous regimes and i wish them good luck on this. Seriously i do! Ofcourse Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and his Boss are in the best Condition to know if it is cheaper to maintain old refineries than build new ones. This should not be the concern of people like me and millions of Nigerians because we just want to buy fuel cheap and never hear this ugly word again-‘fuel subsidy’.
The NNPC sector of Nigerian economy is one hell of place that needs- I –close –my –eyes-and-get-the ruts-out) attitude if Ibe Kachikwu will succeed and write his name in the marble of this country for ever. I did my youth service in NNPC Warri Delta state and i knew what i saw there then. After my service, people close to me thought i was nuts for not waggling my ways to be retained for either a contract/full time staff. Was it that i do not like warri or do not like to live a good life …they wondered/asked me. Only me knew why i never had interest to stay back in NNPC warri after my youth service then. Who says i do not want a comfy life especially in a stoned hard economic country like Nigeria huh? Why else do we work so hard? Is it not to enjoy life and be happy?
The ‘’runs’’ in NNPC not just in warri but in all states in this country where there is oil business is mind blowing and only those who believe in such ‘runs’ succeeds. Do not get me wrong here….there are very credible workers in this sector but they have no powers to prevail over the rotten eggs who has been sinking the Nigerian Economy via this sector called-NNPC. Infact the good personnels have been victimised and most times shown the way out if they refuse to play the dirty games/gimmicks. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has so much on his plate to give us good results and Nigerians must stand by him so that at the end of his tenure, we are able to breathe a fresh air that comes out of NNPC. You and I can imagine ugly secrets meetings being held by those whose toes are going to be stepped on by the minister just to make things right.
This is a very tough job for him and honestly, i personally will not like to be Dr.Ibe Kachikwu for a day …..do you?
My consolation each time i watch/hear him talk is that- he knows what he is doing! He is really brave! Support him in any way you can by doing your own part as a Nigerian executive, worker, public servant so that he can serve us better.
JACLYN IWU
Jaclyn IWU is a Life/Career/Business Coach
A Stress Management Expert&Conference Speaker
Media Communication Personnel
BLOG: http://bluntjacqui.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK: Beautifulwoman.column
TWITTER: @JacquiWorld
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