Nigerian Fuel Crisis looms as the existing Government transits into a new one

Just few days to the handing over of power from the incumbent government to the president elect, the reality of the removal of fuel subsidy is causing real hardship on 170 million Nigerians by the oil sector since the past two months. This untold hardship on Nigerians is really affecting the entire country. Banks are closing at 1pm instead of the usual 4pm because of the unavailability of petrol or diesel to run. Telecom operators are threatening to shut down soon too if the situation lingers on, Airlines are not flying, Hospitals are gone on strike due to the fuel scarcity, some Universities have shut down, all of these because there is no electricity / power supply everywhere across the country and to worsen matters, there is total lack of petrol/ diesel to run generators. Even media houses are threatening to shut down due to high cost of running. This situation came about as a result of the on-going strike by the oil marketers and Petrol Tanker drivers in Nigeria; they are holding the country to ransom because of unpaid subsidy by the government. So far, many offices have not been able to pay staffs salaries, some for up to 6 months salaries are being owed. I just can’t imagine what such families must be going through right now with the prices of things gone up by 3 or 4 times the normal price. The Labour Union workers too are threatening to go on strike by asking all Nigerian workers to stay at home if by next week the situation is not attended to. This is really sad and critical. The situation is really biting hard on the common people and we (Nigerians) are hoping that as the new government comes in on May 29, we hope they will see the need to completely remove this fuel subsidy so that Nigeria can come out of this quagmire. We also urge them to create innovative ways and proffer immediate and long term solutions that will bring an end to these sufferings. With the good news coming in right now from the radio as I write this, says that the oil marketers are calling off their strikes and will soon convey fuel to the various petrol stations. We hope that, in the few weeks to come, Nigeria will come alive again. Until then, I wish every Nigerian out there to keep hope alive as we celebrate 16 years of uninterrupted democracy come May 29, where a new President will be sworn in. I urge all Nigerians to cooperate with the new government so we can move our country forward and make our country great again!!!!