By Ogundana Michael Rotimi
Dear President Buhari,
I am addressing you not as the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but as the Minister of Petroleum
Resources, a post to which you appointed yourself on the November 11, 2015.
 |
| *President Buhari |
You seem to have forgotten that you are the Minister of
Petroleum Resources and may have completely relinquished your responsibilities
to the Minister of State of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
You seem to have neglected the fact that you are directly answerable
to Nigerians as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, and owe it to Nigerians to
make the product readily available and affordable.
As a reminder of what you already know - fuel scarcity has fully
gripped major cities in the country and is contributing negatively to an
economy that is still struggling to pick its stand.
Pathetic as it may be, your Ministry has failed Nigerians over its
inability to end the lingering fuel shortage, as this unabated scarcity of the
product has contributed to the high cost of goods and services.
The Honourable Minister of Petroleum Sir, you are on your way to set
the record for the longest reign of fuel scarcity in the history of the
Republic under your watch. Since you have been sworn in, it has been from one
scarcity to another.
Although, one cannot belittle or underestimate the efforts of the
junior Minister of Petroleum Resources who also happens to be the Group
Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr.
Ibe Kachikwu, in revamping the sector. But Sir, your unnecessary and
unwarranted silence and carefree attitude before every short statement is issued
on the lingering scarcity is worrisome. It suggests that you may have forgotten
or may have become unconscious of the fact that you head the Ministry that is
currently failing to make available and affordable the product that is key to
the economy and the everyday activities of the people.
The unending scarcity that has in-turn led to an increase in pump
prices of the product calls for your urgent attention in the sector and a swift
reaction in finding a lasting solution to this menace. It is sickening and
shameful that Nigerians would have to wait on long queues for hours that could
have been channelled in doing other productive things just to a get a few
liters of fuel.
Your Ministry cannot continually fail to provide the basic needs of
the people and unnecessarily make Nigerians go through pains for a product we
have in its raw form and expect the people to be pleased with it. All that you
have said and perhaps done about the scarcity is still very much infinitesimal
as compared to the pains Nigerians go through on a daily basis to get this
product for their respective use.
You may have actually chosen not to react to the issue as the
President, but you owe it to Nigerians as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Nigerians see you as responsible for failing them in this regard.
Sir, if serving as both Minster of Petroleum Resources and President
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is too cumbersome for you, let go of one and
concentrate on the one you think you can deliver better. Your excuses so far
for the scarcity would not put food on the masses’ table and will not save the
soul of those that have lost their lives as a result of this scarcity. Get the
job done sir if you can. If you can’t, step down and replace yourself as soon
as possible.
Those calling for the Minister of State of Petroleum Resources, Dr.
Ibe Kachikwu, to resign are muddling things up. They should be calling for your
resignation, not his.
There is a reason why you choose to appoint yourself as the Minister
of Petroleum Resources. But it’s a pity the reason is not being felt by
Nigerians. Your self-appointment as a Minister in that sector has made little
or no impact on the lives of the people.
Perhaps the Minister of State of Petroleum Resources is choked up.
Maybe the work is too much for him. Maybe he is not getting the overall
assistance he needs from you as his direct boss because of your busy schedule.
Maybe he needs to share his portfolio with someone. A full Minister appointed
to do the job will no doubt dedicate more time for the job than you do now. Think
about this!
Nigerians have suffered so much and so long in the name of fuel
scarcity and the pains are becoming very much unbearable. Every passing second
that the scarcity lingers on is a slap on your portfolio and a shame on our
nation which nature has blessed with the product in its raw form.
This is not an act of unnecessary wailing; it is a passionate wake
up call to you and your Ministry.
Arrest the situation now and put it to rest once and for all.
Yours sincerely,
Ogundana Michael Rotimi
*Ogundana Michael Rotimi is a Nigerian Biochemist,
Socio-economic & Political Commentator, and Public Speaker. He tweets
@MickeySunny.
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