FUEL PRICE AND VAT INCREASE

Human beings as far as they are understanding and just acknowledge ability as the proper measure of responsibility. The blind man is not held responsible to see nor the deaf man to hear. Even the most oppressive government imposes upon its citizens only such taxes as it judges him able to pay. To demand more of any man is finally to destroy such ability as he may posses. Any government that would demand more of (from) its citizens than they were able to pay would soon dry up all tribute at its roots and bring upon itself sure destruction. Such governments are not innocent before they have heard the cry of the masses, but their responsibility is vastly increased after they have heard it.

However, this simple logic has failed to be acknowledged in Nigeria. Obasanjo in his characteristic manner was so nefarious that he could not think of better things for Nigerians in general and his successor, Umar Yar’Adua in particular, (who inevitable has a lot to battle with in the nation Nigeria), but to, (in few days he was expected to pack his bag and baggage’s), increased fuel price by over 15% and VAT by 10%.

To use increase taxes to feed government purses and enjoy greater expenditure is perfectly natural – and that is precisely why it is wrong, especially given the economic state of Nigeria; it accords it with insensitivity and is of the essence of inhumanity to the generality of the Nigerian populace.

To accept a larger increase in taxes to lay up treasures in government coffers accords with the principles of modern government. While every government who has this problem to face should prayerfully consider its larger responsibility in the light of many factors, a moment of rational thinking would lead us to conclude that good economic policies are not and can never be the same for all nations since their levels of poverty in particular and development in general are not the same.

So what is Nigeria waiting for?