Pray for Nigeria

The last month has been the most difficult for most Nigerians and the reasons are not far-fetched. If the hashtag #PrayForUkraine is trending on social media because of the Russian Invasion, I think the event of the past month needs to have the “Pray for Nigeria” hashtag trending on the media space.

First, since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015, this is the worst fuel crisis we have experienced. Previous fuel crises don’t usually last more than two weeks maximum. This particular one is getting close to two months and it is showing no signs of abating.

The more the government promises the queue will disappear soon, the longer the queue gets and I think they should stop assuring Nigerians that the queues will soon disappear.

There was the story that the queues came about because of the planned removal of subsidy, then it became adulterated fuel, then Ukraine and Russian crisis. Maybe next, it will be because of the Ethiopian crisis. Nigerians have gone through a lot because of the fuel queues with some persons sleeping at fuel stations.

I expect that after the adulterated fuel crisis, some people would have been sacked by now. Anybody involved in the importation of adulterated fuel should be charged with economic terrorism. This is an open and shut case. We have the names of companies that imported the fuel, the names of people who cleared the cargo and certified it fit. Why haven’t we seen heads rolling by now? The house of representatives has begun a probe but we all know how previous probes by the national assembly have ended. It is always all motion and no movement.

Suffice it to say, crimes continue to fester in the country because culprits are not adequately punished. People get away with anything in this country because they have powerful backers. We simply cannot continue like this.

Second, as Nigerians are groaning under the fuel queues, there seems to be a nationwide blackout. This year is turning out to be one of the hottest years in recent times. Everywhere is scorching hot, no light and no fuel to even put on the generators, the price of diesel has gone through the roof. Life is indeed hard. I read a post on social media recently that anyone you visit now, after knocking you need to hear ‘come inside’ before entering because people are walking around naked in their houses because of the unbearable heat.

I think after this, Nigerians should be given a free pass to heaven because we have passed through hell in the last month.

As is the case with the fuel scarcity, we have been inundated with excuses for the nationwide blackout. Nigerians are tired of excuses and want to see changes and actions.

Third, there has also been a scarcity of aviation fuel known as Jet-A1 making many airlines cancel flights. According to some experts, the hike in the price of aviation fuel in the country which is almost N700 per litre is capable of crippling domestic operators and by extension, the Nigerian aviation industry.

As usual, we are hearing the same excuses and assurances from the relevant authorities that the matter would be resolved soon.

Please, fewer words and more action.