[Enyi]

Other countries of the world provide subsidy for their citizens. Nigerians ask: if they remove petroleum subsidy compeletely, then what is it that we are expected to enjoy as citizens?

This is a pertinent question that FGN should answer. Can we for a minute ask why US and EU countries have not withdrawn agricultural subsidies despite the prevailing global economic crisis. Can this be related to the fact that these countries have leaders that were truly elected and not selected in a do or die affair? Why are the Middle-East countries not considering increasing fuel price?

Also, the rehabilitation of the refineries, we are told, ended up putting money in private pockets, and so the Federal Government does not intend to spend one extra kobo on those refineries anymore. If the government knows all of these, why is it lamenting? It should immediately arrest those who have encouraged the inefficiency in the PPMC, the NGC, the NNPC, the PPPRA and let Nigerians know who and how the subsidy of N640 billion vanished annually without any impact on the economy and the people.

This is a valid point.

Muhtar says privatisation of the refineries is important and that government is determined to get it right this time.

We must be very careful with this. In any case, why can't the government run these as profitable ventures or in partnership with the private sector? Rather than full privatization of the refineries, the government should encourage individuals to set up refineries.

We may not necessarily end up trekking but the fact remains that an increase in fuel price will trigger off increases in cost of transportation, food, manufacturing, house rent and a host of others. A government is supposed to ameliorate, not exacerbate, the plight of the citizens.