Please show mercy and be considerate

 These are not the best of times for the economies of nations across the globe. But these are not the best of times for the economies of individuals and families as well. So, trying to fix the nation’s economy and to ensure that the nation stays afloat, should not translate to strangulation and suffocation of citizens.

©PowerLines 2020

Nigerians have been boxed into a corner, they are hapless and helpless. Unfavourable and inconsiderate economic policies have decimated them and many have resigned to fate. It is only a deluded government that would mistake the lack of effective resistance for acceptance and support of their policies. The people just don’t know what to do. They are afraid to even complain because all that the government wants is praise-singing and not criticism. People are manipulated through all sorts of means – threats, lies, media war, false praise, etc. You may have security agents breathing down your neck if you stick out that neck. The government should show mercy and be sincere. When the economic power and voice of a people is take away, what is left? When people wallow in poverty, live in a state of insecurity, endure oppressive policies, and yet are denied the chance to express their honest opinions, what is left?

After an exasperating run, the government gave Labour a ridiculous wage increase with one hand and then took much more away from them with the other hand. For some workers, the wage increase eventually translated into reduced take-home pay. Everything else is now increasing in the nation except the welfare and comfort of the people. There is VAT increase, electricity tariff increase, petrol price increase, cable TV subscription increase, an increase in the price of food and medicines, airfare increase, increased cost of transport, etc. How does the government want Nigerians to survive? And yet, they carry on as if all is well! Why won’t Nigerians be scampering for safety here and there and be miserably scattered among other nations where they have often been treated with scorn?

And it seems the government is not yet done. The water bill is in the pipeline. The national assembly has suspiciously initiated moves to amend the constitution. No value is placed on education and the under-renumerated lecturers are treated with contempt. CAMA has been reinforced. Doesn’t this government want citizens to breathe? Just spewing out hardship and making suspicious moves! No regular electricity supply but still increasing fuel price and electricity tarrif! What happens to struggling businesses?

Are there no more humane ways to go about keeping the economy afloat? With all the borrowing, loot recovery, donations, ridiculous minimum wage, etc should the government still be broke? Who are the people advising the government?

Is all that the government knows about keeping the economy afloat just to keep taking more and more away from the people? This government should show mercy and let Nigerians live in peace.

There is already inflation in the nation. Nigerians are paying more for practically everything. School fees would definitely be increased. Prices of goods and services have witnessed sharp increases and the government keeps making things worse instead of alleviating them.

I am just pleading that this government should have mercy on Nigerians. I don’t know what to write any more.