Sin no more

•Dr. Ibe Kachikwu’s apology on the
unending fuel scarcity in the country is
welcome, but he has to do better than a
magician to end fuel scarcity, especially
by the deadline he has set for himself
Many must have received the news that
the excruciating pain caused them by
scarcity of the Premium Motor Spirit
(PMS), commonly called petrol, will
soon end with a sigh of relief. Coming
from the Minister of State for Petroleum
Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, it
suggests that the government is
concerned about the plight of Nigerians.
The minister who had earlier received
flaks for suggesting that the scarcity
would linger for about two more months
told our federal lawmakers that it would
take, indeed, less than two weeks. He
explained that vessels bringing in the
product in sufficient quantity were
already on the high seas.
We find the humility of the minister in
apologising for talking down to his
compatriots a welcome departure from
the haughty disposition of senior
government officials. The barrage of
criticisms he received following the
unguarded comment which he later
claimed was expressed in the lighter
mood was deserved. Our public officials
must develop a thick skin to criticisms.
While commending Dr. Kachikwu for
quickly retracting the statement, we
hope he has not boxed himself to a
corner by categorically promising that
the scarcity would end this week.
Already, another statement from the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC) is giving the impression that it
might take a little longer than the
minister’s deadline. It does not appear
that all issues related to importation of
the product and the supply chain have
been addressed.
Is the NNPC now in a position to solely
tackle the problem? Or are the
independent marketers who are needed
to shore up NNPC’s capacity now in
position to overcome the difficulties
involved in accessing foreign exchange?
It would have been better appreciated if
the minister came forth with steps taken
to support his deadline.
Public servants should realise that they
are elected or appointed to resolve
crisis such as we have in the petroleum
sector. Dr. Kachikwu, in particular,
came to office well recommended; he
must learn to take criticisms in good
faith. If he has to be a magician to
render the needed service, he ought to
quickly learn on the job. Otherwise, he
must realise that snapping at newsmen
and the public is not an option.
His apology which is rare in this clime,
is taken for now, but a repeat could be
sad tale. He has a duty cut out for him
and he is doing no one a favour by
performing the task he swore to
undertake.
Any suggestion that fuel scarcity has
become a permanent feature of our
national life is unacceptable. When the
All Progressives Congress sought the
support of voters to unseat the
Goodluck Jonathan administration, it
promised change. And, one of the
critical sectors it promised to revamp is
the oil sector. It is too late in the day to
change the story. Anything short of
delivering on the campaign promise
would amount to a betrayal of trust.
Ensuring that new refineries are built
either by the government or the private
sector should not be too difficult for a
government that was swept into office
by an avalanche of support. It is too
early in the day to throw away the
goodwill by lackadaisical attitude to
handling issues. If smaller countries
could ensure steady supply of fuel to
homes and individuals, Nigeria should,
without the usual excuses.