Buhari not to blame for the economy, really

By Dro Ameh

As expected with PMB approval ratings dipping, The February result from a poll conducted by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria showed that Mr. Buhari’s approval rating dropped from 63.4% in January to 32.8%, and more Nigerians held the president responsible for the struggling economy for the first time but is the President really to blame?

The depressing power supply, traffic condition and supposed fuel scarcity is evident enough of the incompetence that runs deep in the civil service.

Common sense begs the question on how the epoch-making fight against corruption in every facets of government should unbundle such an untold hardship on Nigerians. Have you gone around major cities or even tried to buy fuel in rural areas? Corruption in its different masks is fighting back – a battle it would lose but like every battle, it comes with its setback.

It makes even an observer wonder. Power supply has dwindled, services by DISCOs have been below par after the widely reported all-time maximum energy transmission per day of 101,088 megawatt hours (MWH) on the national grid in August 2015. Today, it has been reduced to a record 1,580MW partly by sabotage and labour dispute. Only 13 of the 24 power plants are functional. We agree that there’s a need for a complete overhaul of the system including power and it is sad that the Union of Electricity employees have allowed their institution to stand against accountability. 

It moves beyond demand from the leaders but accountability from the workforce. Clamour for increase in minimum wage should go hand in hand with demand for productivity. our country – Nigeria comes before any body or union. DISCOs make a solid claim for laying off workers who have refused to be productive for test and trusted hands that the country needs but Union frustrates this, insisting that unproductive workers must remain and hence, shut down DISCOs and sabotage transmission. A leader can do so much, as PMB approves of the restructuring of an inefficient NNPC only for Union to snap back by calling to shut down NNPC and gas companies. The nation is in black out because the Union of electricity workers who should be producing power are making a stand for the unproductive bunch and waste system, crippling the nation to her core.

Battle should be picked smartly. Remember, 47000 Union of electricity employees  got an average of over seven million naira after a payment in the total of N350billion was made during the privatization as severance payment by the last administration before the power investors could take over.

With a more accountable leadership, accountable followers are required to complete the equation. This is our time to stand up against incompetent and misplaced priorities for the good of our Nigeria.