The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has hailed the reduction in the price of petrol announced by the Federal Government and the suspension of the weeklong strike by organized labour.
He, however, flayed the deployment of armed soldiers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States and parts of the North West geo-political zone.
Fayemi, in a statewide broadcast in Ado-Ekiti, however, advocated a total overhauling of the economy, including the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, tackling of corruption as well as the restructuring of the polity along fiscal federalism as the permanent solution to the problem.
Lauding the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the civil society groups, for what he described as “constructive engagement” with the government, Fayemi said the culture of compromise and the demonstration of respect for the citizens right were commendable.
The Ekiti State Governor said his administration will soon announce other palliative measures aimed at further cushioning the effect of the new price regime on the people, adding that steps will also be taken to reduce the cost of governance in the 2012 budget.
Fayemi said: “I consider this development a victory for common-sense as the people eventually have their way in a constructive engagement with the government on the issue that directly affect their lives and wellbeing. Yet this does not call for a triumphant chest beating on the part of anyone. What it requires is sober reflection on the true meaning of citizens’ rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
“For us, deregulation is not only about an increase or reduction in the pump price of petrol, it is also about the total overhauling of the Nigerian economy. This will entail the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), ensuring transparency in the sector as well as tackling the monster of corruption in the short term and fiscal federalism and devolution of power in the medium term. I am glad that Mr. President also acknowledged this in his broadcast this morning. Beyond pump price increase, you have also tasked those of us in public offices to shed the toga of arrogance and be more responsive to the yearnings of the people.
“Our government will continue to take further measures to cushion the effect of the current price regime on the people. Further pronouncements on the palliative measures would be made even as the situation gets clearer with the ongoing talks. Equally, we shall be taking additional steps to reduce the cost of governance in the 2012 Budget in the State before passage by the legislature.
“We are however worried about certain developments especially the drafting, this morning, of armed soldiers like an army of occupation in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun in the South West and parts of the North West geo-political zone. If it was a pre-emptive security measure, it sends a wrong signal to an already tense population. We have not seen any reason to warrant this development. As a specialist in Civil – Military Relations, I know the dangers inherent in drafting soldiers into issues that are purely within the purview of the Police and other law enforcement agencies. It does not only undermine democratic control of the military, but also promotes dangerous role expansion which will not augur well for the military in a democratic setting.
“The people of the South West are genuinely agitated by this development. We hope Mr. President will use his position as the Commander in Chief to correct this seeming ethnicisation of the reaction of government to the people’s position on its policy.
“There are several lessons to be learned in light of these developments. These border on matters of trust, credibility, leadership and the restructuring of the Nigerian State along further devolution of powers to its constituent parts. Our view is that those saddled with governance responsibilities will see this development as an opportunity to promote enduring solutions to the seemingly intractable problems of the Nigerian federation.”