EverydayNews Telescope
Hunger Protest and FG’s N40k Rice to who?
By PETRUS OBI
Lest we forget, during the ENDSARS protest, some warehouses and Local government headquarters were attacked and palliatives which were meant for the masses, but never got to them, taken away by protesters.
Again, another palliative just like the story of school feeding in the past, and other failed government measures has cropped up.
We understand, the government is in a hurry to stop the protest. Yes, the protest will do more harm than good and the same masses would suffer it more. But how long will it take us to learn from mistakes of the past?
For one, the government itself knows that it’s almost impossible for this rice to get to the targeted destination, the masses. That is, if those handling the project will procure half of the numbers budgeted for. Are we no longer Nigerians?
This same government has spent billions of Naira on similar palliative in recent times; where there efforts to find out how those projects fared? We don’t have such time.
This is a ‘panic’ decision for fear of what the planned protest could lead to. It also exposes the government more. Thus, we ask again, who is the rice for? How many bags go to the Senators and House of Reps members, Ministers, Presidential Aides, Special Advisers, Ambassadors, Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, the list is longer than the number of bags to be procured.
Not long ago the naira gained so much in such a short time that the government warned those hoarding the dollar to bring them out or lose their money. Another fire service approach that backfired.
Why are the people protesting?
From Onanuga, who is pointing accusing fingers at Peter Obi, to Senate President Akpabio who is blaming people that lost election, it appears the government doesn’t really know why the masses are on edge.
Those who seemed to know, and tried to speak out, like Senator Ali Ndume was removed from his position in the Senate.
Your Excellency Mr. President, in case you don’t know what the problem is, Everydaynewsngr.net can assist.
Your people are starving. The cost of food is out of the Common man’s reach. Fuel prices are on the rise and so is the cost of transportation.
In the midst of these, those in government continue to display affluence. Government body-movement also doesn’t show the pain of the people. An expensive residence for the Vice President may not be out of place but not the right time. Not when millions cannot put food on the table. These are part of the problems, your Excellency.
The people are hungry and they are not seeing signs of hope, signs of a better tomorrow.
Patronising people who voted and supported your emergence as President is not out of place but it mustn’t be to the detriment of the people.
Issues of Rivers Crisis and that of Kano Emirship tussle are also masses related and must be handled with caution. The people are waiting to see what happens to Governor Fubara when Assembly members openly decamped to the APC.
Your Excellency, it happened in Ebonyi State when former Governor, Dave Umahi joined APC with Assembly members. That Assembly never sat until the end of that tenure. The Court matter was tactically allowed to linger until that tenure elapsed. We cannot shift the goal post now. The people will say No.
We have seen a local government chairman openly insulting Fubara, can this happen in any other State? There should be a level playing ground for all. Injustices breed anger and could lead to protests.
Everyday News feels the government should rather bring together a think-tank of professionals to look into the problems and seek solutions. Let it not be another ‘government magic’ but a genuine attempt to correct some anomalies. Credible people who are selfless individuals with ability to study the situation and make recommendations to the government. Even the opposition could take part in this. That’s the way Nigerians will believe you have their interest at heart. Such recommendations and it’s implementation should be in public domain.
By PETRUS OBI.
The appointment of a replacement for former Minister of Innovative Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji who resigned over certificate controversies may have come and gone, but the echoes are all around.
While the appointment received wide spread commendations from across the states there were still pockets of behind the scene complaints from some interested politicians and their followers.
I have decided to write for those who may have lost their voices. Seek answers to those who are still shocked by the choice of a serving Commissioner.
The lobbying for the appointment of a new Enugu Minister was a serious contest amongst political players in a long queue. Even when very few names featured prominently, many others maneuvered behind the scene.
But Governor Peter Mbah made his choice and Barr. Kingsley Udeh, a serving Commissioner became the lucky one.
Many were shocked. Its time to tell ourselves the truth. Enugu didn’t see it coming. And, here lies the title of this write up, “The Silence Of Angry Politicians.”
Personally, as a journalist, I was hoping for an Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi nomination; others rooted for Sullivan Chime, but the Governor had better plans. And having closely followed this administration, I didn’t have doubts in his decision. Rather, he made me put on my thinking cap in search of answers.
The search took me back in time to May 29, 2023 at the Okpara Square. I found the Governor’s inaugural speech when he stated, inter alia…” this administration will be business unusual. Tough decisions will be taken. Those decisions will however be taken in the best interest of Ndi Enugu and Enugu State in general.
“We will pursue an infrastructural revolution in Enugu State by turning our state into one huge construction site…
”
From day one, the Governor had a vision, and his actions have shown focus, determination and desire to succeed. He has also refused to be distracted.
There was also a flashback to his 100 days in office. While others were hurriedly trying to get one or two projects commissioned, the Governor reminded Enugu people that the race wasn’t a 100 meters dash, but a mile race that will last for four years. He said he was still at planning stage. And by the time he got started, he left doubting Thomas’s tongue-tied.
The bulldozers went roaring, project sites evolved. The roads became transformed, developmental project sites ubiquitous.
Like Mbah said, its a total departure from the old style of governance. But, is it working? The answer surely, is in the positive.
Even a few persons who have unsuccessfully tried to paint a negative image of his administration accepted the fact that he has done well. The only issue appear to be individual benefit.
For a Governor who fought hard for victory at the polls, Mbah appear to have won the hearts of the Enugu masses with his development projects.
He may not have satisfied the individual yearnings of politicians in both appointment and patronage, but no right thinking individual would not want to identify with such a success story.
As I continue to solve the puzzle on what may have informed the nomination of the State Attorney General over more established politicians as many expected, my mind kept going over this excerpt from the same inaugural speech, when he echoed;
”
This is not time for politics. It is not time for passion as well. It is time for the sowing of the seed for the Enugu of our dream.”
EverydayNews Telescope
Harassment of motorists by Enugu LG touts must stop, chairman should be called to order
They are not members of the MOT – Ministry of Transport who control traffic. They are not VIO. They have no job specifications, yet they are ubiquitous in major roads in Enugu East Local Government Area.
They could best be described as thugs or touts whichever you choose. They put on dirty yellow, pink T-shirts and operate on keke, parading fake ID cards.
They have one aim – to extort motorists.
At the slightest opportunity they pounce and threaten to take you to the Local Government headquarters, yet they have no proof of any traffic offence.
They try to intimidate the driver and would attack if money is not forthcoming.
People who know their rights have severally refused to be intimidated and often escape from them.
But for those who may not be connected to the authority, their story is pathetic.
Many have been robbed by these miscreants. Cash, phones, ATM cards are always their targets.
Recently, a man who said he was traveling from Anambra to Abuja was stopped as he parked to buy water. The man was still in his vehicle waiting for the water when they pounced on him.
Clearly the man had not committed any crime, nor contravened any traffic offence and they couldn’t pin him down to any offence.
For refusing to part with his money they pounced on him. The man fought back and by the time people intervened, the man had received sufficient beating and his clothes torn.
This is one of several victims amongst vehicle owners who ply the Nike/Timber/Nike LAKE roads.
This daylight robbery and harassment is allegedly encouraged by the local government administration.
A police source confirmed that severally they had been arrested only to be set free on the orders of the Local Government Chairman.
This is unacceptable and a dent on the new administration led by a refined gentleman Governor Peter Mbah.
This is a new government which is about to make its mark and must not allow miscreants and executive rascality in the Local Government Area to smear its image.
There must be better ways of compensating political thugs rather than unleash them on innocent citizens.
The Enugu/Ugwogo/Opi bypass is a gateway and link road to Abuja and other Northern States. The impression travelers take away is negative and bad public relations for this young administration.
Governor Peter Mbah must act fast and save the poor masses from the daily robbery going on on this road.
A stitch in time…..
The governor, who made the statement during a book launch written about his administration, said he was bent on continuing the move so his successor would not need to do it again.
El-Rufai said, “Any bad thing we find, we will remove it so that the next governor does not need to do it again. Watch out till the eleventh hour when we shall quit office, we will continue to sack bad persons and remove bad things.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, described El-Rufai as a fearless, outspoken politician that speaks truth to power.
He donated N20m for the book launch and advised other guests to buy the books and stock them in public and private school libraries in the country.
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