Why Do Government Exploit Citizens?

It is not totally wrong to say life is about the survival of the fittest. Many people believe that life is easy but we also know that we human beings make it hard for ourselves.

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In every society, the strong ones get stronger with more influences and the weak ones, in most cases get weaker. Only few among the weak ones and especially those who stopped following the 'norm' become stronger and take their places in a society that refuse to accept them.

In every society, new laws/rules often time favour the rich at the expense of the poor masses. It is like the world is not made for them.

When the present administration (in Nigeria) came into power, petrol price was 86 naira per litre. But Nigeria had to face a harsh reality of recession and the price was increased from 86 naira to 141 naira per litre. Ordinarily, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the youths would have flooded the streets in protest but nothing happened. Everybody accepted the price to the surprise of the opposition party who experienced similar fate when the former administration did the same.

The situation of the masses after that was more than harsh as people could not afford basic things of life and some committed suicide in the process.

As if that was not enough, the government is planning to reintroduce toll gates back into Nigeria. Perhaps, you are wondering why? I started asking questions. A closer look at the budget presented by the president last month and statement made by Minister of Budget and National Planning Udo Udoma stated clearly that they need to sell government assets to fund the budget!

I was not really surprised considering the fact that they have been asking Senate to approve loans. The simple answer is that, they thought tasking the masses through toll gates would fetch them some cash to fund some of these projects listed in the budget. 

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History, however, has it that money generated from toll gates have not been properly managed. The money always went missing with the person in charge using it for personal gains.

Why they think they could get 60% of such money today is what we will find out in the nearest future. But like i always say, experience is just a teacher but not the best teacher because nothing says past experience would repeat itself.

The question is, what has the government done for the poor masses to think they can task them? Do not forget that these people drive official cars and would not pay or be part of this exercise.

The simple reality is that there would be an increment in transport fare. This is because the commuters would not bear the loss alone. So they will ask the poor masses to pay more so that they can pay toll gate fees.

This is a sad situation where the masses are always objects in the hands of the people they elected to help them manage the country's resources. Do not forget that we pay taxes. Taxes are deducted automatically from salaries.

It is high time they started cutting down their own allocations and use the money for the good of the people instead of personal gains.

Thanks for reading. Your boy @smyle the philosopher.