CORRUPTION IN THE DOWNSTREAM SECTOR!- SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO DO THINGS IN THE SAME WAY? GOVERNMENT ADMITS KNOWLEDGE OF CORRUPTION

Our beloved President- Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of our much loved country-Nigeria addressed the Nation last night and announced why the intervention had to be timely and why it was of absolute importance- It is better for us as a Nation to right the wrongs now, or wait for a very bleak future. How that would come about no one has really explained, but we do not doubt them one way or the other. It must mean that there is so much that the general populace doesn’t know. That might also be because government would not want the citizenry to be in panic, we commend them for their love for us all.

Something that majorly struck a chord in our mind from the President's address was his admittance of corruption in the downstream sector, we quote him-

'' My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences''

'' The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary. ''

''We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.''

By this admittance, we are of the thought that government already know or have an idea of those perpetrating the crimes, is it possible for a faceless few to run the country aground and for a sincere government, who cares about the future of the country, to look the other way and not bring these unscrupulous elements to book or is it that some form of criminality is allowed for the good of all .

 Quoting the President again-

Should we continue to DO THINGS IN THE SAME WAY, and face more serious economic challenges? We think the best way for the government to show the sincerity of purpose, which the people demand, would be for them to take the bold step(s) and deal decisively with their friends who are the criminals that have institutionalized corruption in that sector, if former sacred cows in the banking sector could be arrested, indicted and convicted why not those in the oil sector? If the President would do this then he can be sure of the support of all Nigerians for all his programmes. CHIKENA!

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