"Goodluck Jonathan? I guess that's better than Alittle Blowbama."
Posted on 01/13/2012 5:42:08 AM PST by Pan_Yan
President Goodluck Jonathan is living the toughest week of his political career as tens of thousands of Nigerians take to the streets in the longest national strike in the nation's history, at the same time as an increasingly deadly Islamist group continues its relentless sectarian onslaught, prompting an upsurge in Christian-Muslim violence. The crises presented by the protests against gasoline-subsidy cuts and the communal violence may be quite different, but both are symptoms of years of government abuse and corruption. After four days of deadlock, Jonathan has begun negotiating with labor unions, hoping to end the strike that has paralyzed the country. But if the government refuses to back down on subsidy cuts that have doubled the fuel price, Nigeria's main oil union warned that it would shut down on Sunday the oil-and-gas production that is the country's economic lifeline. And late on Thursday, the negotiations between labor unions and the government ended without an agreement to restore fuel subsidies. The talks are due to resume Saturday.
Nigeria has until now subsidized the import of gasoline, which accounts for most of its consumption despite being Africa's largest oil producer because of the country's lack of refining capacity. And the subsidy has long been rife with corruption as subsidized imports are siphoned off and sold to neighboring countries where unsubsidized fuel costs three times the Nigerian price.
"The subsidy created distortions in the economy ... and created room for rent-seeking and shortages because fuel prices were not deregulated," according Razia Khan, Africa head of research for Standard Chartered Bank, who said fuel subsidies held back foreign investment in local refining. Nigeria will save an estimated $7 billion a year from removing the subsidies, say advocates of the move.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
1. We receive 8% of our oil imports from Nigeria. If the unions follow through on their strike and shut down production on Sunday prices will spike.
2. There are 100 US Army advisors in Nigeria facing a total civil war between the Christians in the south and the Muslims in the north.
3. This is what happens when someone tries to cut into government handouts and curb corruption. We might find that out if we ever get a President who actually tries.
Ping.
“Paralyzing Strikes and Growing Muslim-Christian Violence Create a Migraine for Nigeria’s Leader”
Is it Muslim-Christian violence or Muslim violence against Christians? Two completely different things.
Muslim-Christian violence? Seems to me it’s a misleading term meant to paper over the truth of what’s going on.
More like Muslim violence against Christrians. I hope the Christians defend themselves.
Also note that we receive about 300% of our e-mail scamming from Nigeria.
” I hope the Christians defend themselves.”
They have been. The country is split almost evenly and the non-Muslims control the government and the oil. For now.
"Goodluck Jonathan? I guess that's better than Alittle Blowbama."
I suggest 10mg Maxalt, 2 Excedrine and cutting off the Muslim north so it festers and dies. The oil is in the south.
It’s Muslims killing Christians almost exclusively. However, to speak the truth is to commit a thoughtcrime.
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