Undue exploitation of the masses

SIR: The progressive suffering of the masses of this country, Nigeria, should give any human being with blood running in the vein a serious concern. Few days ago, on arrival in the Federal Capital Territory, I stumbled into two citizens – a commercial driver and passenger fighting over a gallon of kerosene allegedly kept carefully in the boot but discovered to have emptied away inside the boot. It was a fierce disagreement developing to violence between the duo. Whilst the accusations and counter-accusations persisted, I intervened as a good Samaritan, volunteered to pay for the kerosene not knowing the present-day market value of kerosene in the country.

I had expected that it was the price I used to know, maybe at most N700 for the full gallon until the owner announced that the 5 litres in the gallon was bought at a cost of N5000 at N860 per litre. I shouted thinking he wanted to exploit me.  To verify the claim, we drove down to the nearest filling station. Behold, the passenger was correct. It dawned on me why the aggressive resistance. Apart from my commitment to pay for the wasted kerosene, it was painful that a commodity for the poorest of the masses could cost higher than gas, diesel and petrol used by the advantaged class. How did we get to this point? If I didn’t confirm the price at the filling station, nothing on earth would make me believe the passenger. To call a spade a spade, the country is in a coma.

It is well known that the class of people that use kerosene in the country are those with the lowest incomes. The question? How did the leaders allow such abnormality to befall the masses, and yet, seemingly behave as if all is well? How could a litre of kerosene rise to such price when many do not have livelihoods? Indeed, there is ‘fire on the mountain’ as ‘Asa’, a music artiste echoed recently to ‘entertain’ President Muhammadu Buhari and his audience in the Presidential Villa at a function.

This exorbitant price must be arrested by the authorities. In a sane climate, the authorities should do everything humanly possible to ensure that an essential commodity like kerosene is available and affordable to the vulnerable masses. Or is the government unaware? The question begs for answers.

It is loathsome that while the poorest class of citizenry are helpless, hopeless, abandoned, subjected to misery, hunger, starvation and all manner of deprivations, politicians including public officeholders are flaunting wealth, displaying moneybags.
By Carl Umegboro, a public affairs analyst and social advocate writes via umegborocarl@gmail.com (08173184542-SMS only)