In this clime, it is difficult to have an equal society, those at the top are doing everything possible to remain there, while those under are striving very hard to get up there- so it’s a continuous movement to the top. in doing this, unholy alliances are entered into and many norms distorted.
Typical example is the sordid tale of Nigerian farmers who Buhari fought so hard to make them relevant. First, he subsidized almost all the incentives that come with agriculture, introduced mouthful reforms for them and above all went all hugs to ban the importation of rice! Overnight, local rice became a reference as the farmers swim in money. Rather than reciprocate the gesture, they turn against Buhari and the people. They created unscrupulous ventures thus making rice highly expensive. This is what the heart of man is made for, like the drowning scorpion, rescue him, he turns around to sting you.
Before now, only six mechanized rice mills existed in Nigeria. With the ban on foreign rice, many rice processing mills abound in the nation. This should ordinarily excite Nigerians, but sadly, we are groaning because these same farmers whose bread has been buttered have decided to be cruel, wicked and insensitive. They sell rice to Nigerians in exorbitant prices while they smile sheepishly to the bank.
President Buhari, this is the time to break the vicious monopoly of Nigerian rice farmers, they refuse to reciprocate your good gesture. Therefore, cripple them like you have crippled those who stashed our naira. Lift the ban on rice importation now. Our greedy farmers don’t deserve any consideration.
Frankly musing.
* Abdullahi Haruna Haruspice, a Public Affairs Analyst writes from Abuja
