We have been told a lot of things about our economy
growing. From the CBN to the Finance Minister, all have given us account of how
our economy is growing and favorable to foreign investors. The question is
"how does this affect the lay man"?
From the east, to the west; crossing from north to south
we can see for ourselves the "level of
growth" in the economy. From increasing rate of unemployment, to
increased poverty (all na growth). Nigeria has succeeded in moving the middle
class to the lower class. Now we have only two economy classes. They are Rich
and poor; no more middle/ average class yet we are been told the economy is
improving. This is a country where over 70% of her people were living little
below $2 a day before 2011 but now are living below $1 a day yet they tell us
the economy is improving. We graduate thousands of youths from our tertiary
institutions with no jobs for them and they still say the economy is improving.
The level of insecurity has risen to the extent that one cannot move around
freely new to kidnappings, armed robbery etc. yet they say the economy is
improving. Yesterday it was MEND, today it is BokoHaram, only God knows what
tomorrow holds yet they say the economy is improving. Moving from Lagos to Ogun
state which shouldn't take more than 45mins is now taking hours due to bad
condition of roads, cost of transportation is unbearable due to hike in fuel
prices and bad roads yet they say the economy is improving. There is hardly
power supply to our homes, offices and industries yet we get outrageous PHCN
bills which we have to pay else the little power supply will be cut-off; yet
they say the economy is improving. Of recent NERC told us that whether power
supply or not, Nigerians have to pay more for epileptic supplies.
Which economy is improving? Is it the economy of the few
greedy politicians or are we speaking of another country entirely? Definitely they
are not speaking of the ordinary Nigerian man who has no hope for now and his
hope for the future is fast disappearing.
It is now quite obvious, we have only two classes of people and as such two class of economy. Most unfortunately, our government is not of the "government of the people by the people and for the people", but of "government of the class (ruling class) by the class and for the class", hence, one can't really say their claim is wrong. Because of a truth a yesterday beggar that becomes a today councilor automatically gains an improved economy at the detriment of the other class (The Ruled or common masses).
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