It is no doubt that after the race, miles covered are recorded. People take stock of their activities, both the good and the bad.
I did not make any move through out this short break. I needed to have some rest and recuperate for another season of work. Thus, I did not see what people saw or suffer what many did suffer due to scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as fuel.
Nigeria is known of scarcity of fuel during festivals. This is a big challenge government has been unable to solve. Whether it is man made scarcity or fear of the unknown that makes people to resort to panic buying, is difficult to establish.
People pay through their noses anytime there is scarcity of PMS. This time appeared to be the worst experience. Transport fares happened to have tripled alongside the effects of recession which are still with us. Thus, people spent more than they could realise in two months on transport alone. I can feel the misery of the people, but not like politicians will claim. Mr. President said in his new year speech that he felt the misery of the people due to the state of the economy and the scarcity of fuel.
I always doubt the sincerity of politicians. They take everything for politics. They politicise human life, talk with their tongue on their cheek, claim to be on top of situation, while they are right under it. They say so much, promise so much, and do little or nothing.
Now that suffering and smiling Nigerian citizenry are done with their holiday, what next?
To go back to their work and continue with their minimum wage of a little above $40. Yes! You heard me well. Not $400 but $40 every month.
To return to poor infrastructure which several governments had promised to put in place or improve the existing ones but never did, even the present. Highways traps called roads, epileptic power supply, dysfunctional education system are some of the examples.
People are to return to the economy with 16% inflation, no hope for savings due to persistent increase in price at all levels.
People are returning to insecurity as Boko Haram, Herdsmen, militants, kidnappers are very much in operation. After they have been technically defeated, they are still attacking and killing soldiers and innocent civilians.
People are returning to the insensitivity of a government that passes budget in June and execute less than a quarter of the capital project.
Welcome from Christmas and new year holiday, Nigerians. Welcome again to the realities of our country.
