P
PressRoom
Guest
2016 was not a good year for Nigeria, in many spheres of the economy. It was a year fraught with so many things displaced in President Mohammadu Buhari's government – whose entrance into power is almost 2 years. Little seems to have been done since Buhari took over power from Goodluck Jonathan, that majority of the populace have lost faith in his administration.
But, well, several clerics have rolled out prophecies for the new year, with some claiming that all will look good in 2017. Here are some reasons why Nigerians should be afraid of the government in 2017.
1. Economy – Since inception of President Buhari's administration, the economy has been direction-less, with no sound policies in place. The economy has continued in recession as persistent oil prices, weak currency exchange. Falling sales and rampant levels of inflation are putting increasing pressure on businesses as the fourth quarter report emerged. According to World Economics, business confidence reduces steadily for four years and is now at the lowest level recorded in the survey's history. The conditions in the country remain challenging with little sign that the economy will exit recession in 2017.
2. Security - Though President Buhari has been praised for crushing Boko Haram, Shiite, IPOB, Niger Delta, Fulani Herdsmen are many fronts that are still opened in Buhari's government, with no definitive measures of how to tackle them.
3. The government is 'killing' the people: The silent redundancy going on in all-sized businesses; the non payment of wages; the protectionist policies of the government push people to do what they must to survive. An example of such is the massive drive into ponzi and multi level marketing schemes. In addition, the devaluation of the naira, hike in food prices and loss of jobs have made life miserable for Nigerians and their families.
4. Transparency in all sectors – The government claims to have recovered some looted funds. But the government has not been transparent to answer these questions: What has happened to the funds recovered so far? Who were they recovered from? How much exactly has been recovered? How much more should Nigerians expect? What has happened to the remaining $2billion from Dasuki? If government does not provide answers to key questions as these, then there are more to be worried about in this government this year.
5. No plans to reconcile warring parties – 2016 was enveloped in many divisions from several parties (mostly internal parties waging war against themselves). These divisions have led to some parties pushing to form new parties. Aside political divides, we also have ethnic clash of interests and divisions. There has been no move from the government to unite the country, it seems to bask in these divisions.
6. No sound impact felt yet from Buhari's Cabinet: After taking President Buhari 6 months to announce ministers, there is no sound political impact from majority of these ministers. And to the House of Assembly, Governors forum. The separate arms of government are pursuing their own agenda and breed conflicts.
7. 'Business as usual': When President Buhari came into power, his manifesto was hinged on fighting corruption and promoting good governance, but some issues seem to be no different from 'business as usual' and attendant wastage. Amid recession, his government has decided to buy N400m worth of vehicles for 7 former Heads of States and Vice Presidents in 2017. According to the details of the 2017 appropriation bill currently before the National Assembly, obtained by journalists, N280.099m was budgeted for the purchase of vehicles for seven former Presidents and Heads of State; N120.090m would be used to procure vehicles for four Vice-Presidents, and ex-Chiefs of General Staff.
8. Blame game: Since President Buhari came into power, he and his APC stalwarts are still blaming the woes of the country on the 16 years administration of the PDP. The blame game has hindered focus and major progress from the his administration. Fear is that if the blame game continues in 2017, so many things will remain dormant.
But, well, several clerics have rolled out prophecies for the new year, with some claiming that all will look good in 2017. Here are some reasons why Nigerians should be afraid of the government in 2017.
1. Economy – Since inception of President Buhari's administration, the economy has been direction-less, with no sound policies in place. The economy has continued in recession as persistent oil prices, weak currency exchange. Falling sales and rampant levels of inflation are putting increasing pressure on businesses as the fourth quarter report emerged. According to World Economics, business confidence reduces steadily for four years and is now at the lowest level recorded in the survey's history. The conditions in the country remain challenging with little sign that the economy will exit recession in 2017.
2. Security - Though President Buhari has been praised for crushing Boko Haram, Shiite, IPOB, Niger Delta, Fulani Herdsmen are many fronts that are still opened in Buhari's government, with no definitive measures of how to tackle them.
3. The government is 'killing' the people: The silent redundancy going on in all-sized businesses; the non payment of wages; the protectionist policies of the government push people to do what they must to survive. An example of such is the massive drive into ponzi and multi level marketing schemes. In addition, the devaluation of the naira, hike in food prices and loss of jobs have made life miserable for Nigerians and their families.
4. Transparency in all sectors – The government claims to have recovered some looted funds. But the government has not been transparent to answer these questions: What has happened to the funds recovered so far? Who were they recovered from? How much exactly has been recovered? How much more should Nigerians expect? What has happened to the remaining $2billion from Dasuki? If government does not provide answers to key questions as these, then there are more to be worried about in this government this year.
5. No plans to reconcile warring parties – 2016 was enveloped in many divisions from several parties (mostly internal parties waging war against themselves). These divisions have led to some parties pushing to form new parties. Aside political divides, we also have ethnic clash of interests and divisions. There has been no move from the government to unite the country, it seems to bask in these divisions.
6. No sound impact felt yet from Buhari's Cabinet: After taking President Buhari 6 months to announce ministers, there is no sound political impact from majority of these ministers. And to the House of Assembly, Governors forum. The separate arms of government are pursuing their own agenda and breed conflicts.
7. 'Business as usual': When President Buhari came into power, his manifesto was hinged on fighting corruption and promoting good governance, but some issues seem to be no different from 'business as usual' and attendant wastage. Amid recession, his government has decided to buy N400m worth of vehicles for 7 former Heads of States and Vice Presidents in 2017. According to the details of the 2017 appropriation bill currently before the National Assembly, obtained by journalists, N280.099m was budgeted for the purchase of vehicles for seven former Presidents and Heads of State; N120.090m would be used to procure vehicles for four Vice-Presidents, and ex-Chiefs of General Staff.
8. Blame game: Since President Buhari came into power, he and his APC stalwarts are still blaming the woes of the country on the 16 years administration of the PDP. The blame game has hindered focus and major progress from the his administration. Fear is that if the blame game continues in 2017, so many things will remain dormant.
