Let's Begin Trekking Already

In a country so blessed with mineral resources and especially crude oil that is used in the production of PMS, we ought not to suffer the high cost of petroleum pump price but it's rather unfortunate to see that we have such sufferings in our dear nation. In Nigeria, as we all know, the law of gravity does not hold waters. Instead of things that have skyrocketed in price to reduce, it will rather remain so even after all indices that ought to affect the price have reduced. This is one of the dilemma of being a Nigeria.

The recent hike in price of fuel might be caused by natural factors like the greedy leaders who are mostly invisible or unknown. All we keep hearing is the talk about a cabal that has become a bone in the neck of the president. What a time to live in a nation called Nigeria.

Let's face what we are currently battling with.

Like they say:

This too shall pass.

I woke up one of the days in the previous week to learn that in some parts of Lagos, fuels sells for as high as #950 per litre. I couldn't believe my ears until the last Sunday. Some of church members went to attend meeting at the famous victoria island. We decided not to buy enough fuel from our part of the town where it was sold for #820 per litre. Our thoughts were that it would be cheaper up town. But we were shocked when we read what was reading in the metre box. #950 per litre.

My head spinned.

Not because we could not buy the fuel, at least we found a filling station that was ready to sell. What made my head spin was the quantity we bought.

I kept wondering what the week would be like while going to work. On Monday morning, as I set out to go to work, a fare that costs #1,000 to work (Ajah to CMS), we had to board for #1,500.

Bikes now also have created a tension and have cause most Nigerians to consider the best option our of these outrageous charges, Foot-wagon.

Don't be surprised when you see more people trekking to work or from work back home.

Please Don't Blame The Transporters

Recently, I met a conversation in a commercial bus. All I did was to listen to a lawyer who was just defending the tricyclist for charging #300 in some part of Lagos for a journey that ought not to be more than #100. Here was his argument.

A new tricycle from a dealer costs about five million naira. Omo, my eye widen when I heard that. And you know what, Nigerian youths are buying this in hire purchase where the price is just exorbitant. These tricyclist will have to pay about #15,000 to #20,000 on a daily basis. At least they will feed themselves and they are married, the family must be fed too and rent must be paid.

All together, his argument was that our exchange rate is about the poorest in Africa, at least for a modern state like Nigeria.
The same things goes for motorcycle. The selling price of a new motorcycle can be dumbfounding. So, those guys you see there on the road are humans. They must make ends meet. As such, since the government has allowed for a free market md price control has become a mirage then these guys take laws into their hands to deal the blow on the commuters.

Which Way Out?

I have simple analogy for the inflation rate to be reduced to the bearest minimum.

Our government should allow other private refineries to operate and sell their products to Nigerians.
Price control must be handled by the government of the day. This will make uniform prices of products in the market.
Manage our exchange rate by valuing the Naira to be at par with the dollar like in the case of Ghana.
Open the border for goods to come into the country while preparing to begin an agrarian revolution. This will prepare the nation for total lockdown of all borders when we must have had a huge agrarian society. By then, good would have become much.
Remove agberos from our roads. These guys also make matters worse for the drivers.
Punish offenders who take law into their hands by increasing the pump price of petroleum products.

I believe that the thing can be controlled when we have a responsible and responsive government.