DistantNews
Support us
Just What Is Government Doing For Us?
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Just What Is Government Doing For Us?

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Nigerian writer expresses deep anger over the rising cost of living, particularly the price of petrol, which has exceeded N1,000 per liter.
  • The writer contrasts current fuel prices with those under previous administrations, highlighting the diminished purchasing power of N1,000.
  • The article criticizes the government for not implementing policies to cushion the impact of global fuel price increases, unlike approximately 60 other countries.

A Nigerian writer voices profound anger and frustration over the escalating cost of living, with a particular focus on the soaring price of petrol. The author notes that N1,000 now buys significantly less than it did previously, and the price of a liter of petrol has surpassed N1,000, making it a substantial burden for many households.

Every day, one thousand naira, (N1,000) buys less and less of what it used to buy in hundreds before.

— Adekunle AdekoyaThe author, expressing frustration over the declining purchasing power of the Nigerian currency.

The writer draws a stark comparison with past administrations, recalling when N1,000 could purchase considerably more petrol. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, petrol was N187 per liter, and N1,000 bought over five liters. During Dr. Goodluck Jonathan's tenure, it was N97 per liter, allowing over 10 liters for N1,000. Even further back, under Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, petrol cost N65 per liter, with N1,000 buying over 15 liters.

The current surge in fuel prices is attributed to global factors, including the conflict in the Middle East impacting crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. This has led to longer shipping routes and higher landing costs for refiners, pushing petrol prices above N1,000 per liter, with the writer purchasing it at N1,115 per liter on a recent morning.

Petrol was N187 per litre, and N1,000 could buy a little more than five(5) litres.

— Adekunle AdekoyaRecalling petrol prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

What exacerbates the writer's anger is the perceived inaction of the Nigerian government. While approximately 60 countries have implemented around 200 policies to mitigate the effects of higher global fuel prices on their citizens and economies, Nigeria has yet to announce similar relief measures. The writer laments that the justifications provided for subsidy removal have proven hollow, as essential services like education and healthcare remain underfunded, and insecurity persists.

Yet, our government has not announced any plan to make our burden lighter.

— Adekunle AdekoyaCriticizing the government's lack of action to cushion citizens from rising fuel costs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog