The Christmas and New Year celebrations were the ultimate holidays where the people would save and freely spend to enjoy the once in a year celebrations. Fire crackers lighting up the sky, Chickens and Cows were freely slaughtered, visits to friends and families undertaken and gifts of food items extended to neighbours. How times have changed.Today, the people are restive, rather than festive. They are perhaps even in angry mood. And who could blame them' The deluge of bad news coming from the government 'at all levels would make the happiest of people exasperated. This mood is likely to burst into full fury by the turn of next year when the implementation of the newly proposed government policies bites hard.This much had been alluded to by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, when he stated recently that with the unemployment situation in the country, there may be a resultant mass revolt if nothing is done to stem the tide. In another forum, President Goodluck Jonathan raised similar concerns. The Minister of Youth and Social Development, Bolaji Abdulahi, has said that the 68 million youth unemployment figure was a ticking time-bomb. They recognised the lack of employment opportunities, coupled with a pervasive sense of hopelessness, makes the youth susceptible to crimes and civil unrest. This is the current trend around the world, even in far most favourable economic climates and Nigeria is not immune to uprisings.'The National Bureau of Statistics said the rate of unemployment is on the rise in the country. ...in the first half of 2011, it increased to 23.9 per cent...This represents an increase of 1.8 million additional unemployed people between December 2010 and June 2011 The Bureau attributed the rise in the ranks of the nation's unemployed to fresh entrants to the job market and worker layoffs across all sectors of the economy in the course of the year. Youth unemployment rate is more than 45 percent.Yet, Jonathan, through the Minister of Finance; expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the (CBN) to reinvigorate the banking sector, despite the number of job losses that was caused by the reforms.Unemployment is the world's fastest-rising worry, a BBC World Service survey covering 11,000 people in 23 countries suggests. Corruption and poverty still ranked the highest, but unemployment was mentioned by 18 percent - six times the rate citing it in the first survey in 2009. Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria and Turkey were among the other countries where this topic appeared a particular concern.Already, a coalition of Civil Society in Abuja said that it would begin a mass protest come January 2012tagged Occupy Nigeria over the controversial fuel subsidy removal. The idea is fast gaining traction. This is not the only reason the Nigerian people seem upset. There is a wide spread feeling that the government is thumbing their noses at the people with a set of earplugs especially since the elections have been concluded. Policies like the planned removal of fuel subsidy, the planned erecting of toll gates, tolling of the Lekki-Epe expressway, planned issuance of new vehicle and drivers' licences, ASUU strike, and the sudden astronomical increase in the price of students' fees in LASU by the Lagos State Government have created an atmosphere of doom and gloom. At times like these, many Nigerians realise what great loss they suffered in Gani Fawehinmi's death. Nigeria seems headed in a direction at the moment and it's definitely not the right way. The London Metropolitan reported that the recent UK riots were coordinated by Blackberry messages, similar messages are already circulating in Nigeria.Lately, the tolling of road has been in the front burner. Tolling is a common thing around the world but for the Lekki-Epe road, only about 4 kilometres of road out of about 50 kilometres has been done in over four years by the concessionaire (an additional lane to two lanes in place!) and about three toll gates is expected within a 50km stretch of road. This is excessive. The government recently declared December 18 as the commencement date of toll collection. This is the same Lekki- Epe expressway where traffic congestion is ever present due to the slow pace of work of the concessionaire. To compound the issue, the amount is expected to range between N50 to N250 (depending) for a period of over 30 years! While the Action Congress of Nigeria ('ACN') is criticising federal government for its toll plan on federal highway, Lagos State is doing the same thing! Interestingly, the Federal Government had stated that it wants to study LAGOS model for tolling. One wonders how many tolls would be on the Ibadan expressway if Lagos model is followed given that it is 105 Kilimetres and has been concessioned to Bi-Courtney Consortium.If this is absurd, then the issue of LASU fee increase is beyond belief. To increase the school fees from N25,000 to N250,000 is mind bogging. If this had been done by federal government, ACN would have raised its voice in criticism. Even Pa Awolowo would be turning in his grave at what his 'disciples' are doing to education because this is far from free education that gave Western Nigeria the edge in education.These policies would definitely pinch; if not totally cut away the pocket. And this is why the governor has been finding it difficult to explain the rationale for them. He stated he wanted to upgrade LASU, While one the other hand he presented N46 million cars to eight monarchs from tax payers' accounts to enhancing the living standards of royal fathers. According to the Lagos State Government, the aim being 'To assist them discharge their responsibilities to the people and promote peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship among people within their domains and to assist government on the vital issues of security. Buying cars for traditional rulers, who have resources to purchase these cars on their own, is spending public funds for political favours. Somebody struck the right tone of reserved contempt when he whispered that the money can buy primary school kids in the whole of Lagos Indomie or bread for at least a week. More worrisome was the remark attributed to the president that he was ready to face a mass revolt to press home the need to remove fuel subsidy. He should remember the saying 'beware what you ask for'' These are disturbing signs. With all these harsh policies coupled with the lack of jobs for youth, and ASUU strike, there is danger on the horizon. Suffice to say, fire starts from spark. To have civil unrest at this time would be a huge set back. It is better to nip it in the bud, due to the nature of public protest in Nigeria. The possible disruptions and destruction is better avoided. If it happens it's going to be hard to put Humpty Dumpty back together.Merry Xmas!'Ayoko, a Chartered Accountant, wrote wrote in via www.financialangle.com
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