by Virtually every government has made petroleum products topical issue, and the main issue is that of subsidy and suspicion of corruption surrounding it; after all the current president, Muhammad Buhari as a candidate asked in rhetorics ‘Who is subsidizing who?” Guessed he nows better now.
In the absence of scientific research to give us a near accurate statistics on the categories and consumption of petroleum products for industrial usage; for commercial transportation usage; for private car usage; and for domestic usage such as powering generators, artisan needs, and petty traders who grind pepper and other foodstuff products, we can just vouchsafe on some respite.
Our own thoughts is that petroleum pricing will naturally find its equilibrium if the following are put in place:
- Massive infrastructural development and recalibration such that super highways connect all the states of the federation at least to the capital cities. (If the excesses of those in government make fund for such development unavailable, investors could be attracted if sound and water tight agreement that protects their investment are dangled before before them with hopes of recouping their investments over a period of time through toll payment).
- Highly efficient and integrated mass transit system that attracts private car owners to travel on public transport for their long and short commuting.
- Sincere and patriotic policy to provide electricity in all parts of the country at a realistic and economic friendly rates. (Diesel consumption by telecommunications service providers would be eliminated).
- The fourth should be effective policing and security arrangements which prevent bizarre crime like kidnapping and ritual killings and other violent crimes like armed robberies.
If fuel consumption is reduced to public mass transit usage and allied products for industrial usage, then we would have reduced avoidable demands for them.
Another benefit is massive job creation and quality life for citizens and others.
The question therefore should be, are those four points suggested a tall order to achieve in an administration with an eight year life span?
