Isn’t it almost unbelievable how Lagos, the city that is synonymous with everything and anything that has to do with congestion could lose its very essence and throw away exactly what makes it tick just for the mere fact of some meager harmless removal of fuel subsidy?( pun intended)
Absolutely embarrassing if you asked me! I mean almost everything that has grown to become the hallmark of the city that never sleeps has become a tad moribund, and the only sane explanation I could get has been the exquisite new year gift handed us or shoved down our throats (had to put the latter because some might fancy it) by our ever soft spoken and ‘unassuming’ no 1 citizen, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
After proper consultations with the masses (there was a townhall meeting, for those of you who did not have electricity to catch it live on air) the President aided by his always supportive Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala made the unilateral and very ‘unselfish’ decision to effect the removal of subsidy with immediate alacrity on the day meant to usher in a new phase in the lives of people all over the world.
And going by the urban and up tempo lifestyle of Lagosians coupled with their very dogged mentality, the least I expected was to see Lagosians allow such a ‘minor’ decision affect their exuberant lifestyle. Although, a club you visited around this time last year with fuel worth of #2,000 in your car would now take you fuel worth double that amount to avail yourself that opportunity to relax.
Also, it is almost as if there was some sort of a mini rapture on Lagos roads, everywhere is so deserted all in the name of ‘trying to conserve fuel’ . I was in a discussion with a couple of friends over a few bottles of our favorite drinks (for us, no subsidy or removal would kill our night life although it would eventually put a huge strain on our pockets) one of them told me that it is not really a bad thing after all, that we would start looking at other alternative modes of transportation. Now, picture riding to your favorite hang out spot mounted on the back of a camel? Grand isn’t it? (pun intended again).
Now, for those still complaining and would not want to go with my friend’s suggestion, I implore you to look for the nearest Indian temple and quickly make an order for a broom stick or some sort of a potion that’ll make you teleport from your rooms to your place of work or place of fun.
Whatever you do, just don’t allow the removal break the famed resolute spirit of a Lagosian! Just keep moving till we find a way of making our gentle president realize that the removal of fuel subsidy at this point in our democratic existence is not a very bad idea after all.(duh)
Alright, wishing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan all the ‘goodluck’ on earth with his firm decision. Ciao!
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