President Goodluck Jonathan came under criticism
from his Facebook friends on Tuesday after he posted his Christmas message on
the social networking site.
The President in the message said he “personally”
instructed government officials to make conditions favourable for Nigerians to
celebrate the Yuletide.
The airports, he said, for instance, had been
given a “facelift”, adding that the terminals were rehabilitated and the
runways upgraded ahead of the festive season.
He wrote, “I want to seize this opportunity to
wish you and your loved ones a merry Christmas and a happy New Year in advance.
I feel the pains of Nigerians and that is why this Yuletide I have personally
instructed that our roads be worked on to enable you and your loved ones to
travel safely for the holidays.
“Not done, we ensured that for the first time in
decades, the cross country services (Lagos to Kano with stops in cities along
the route) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation were revived just prior to
the holidays to provide Nigerian masses with an inexpensive alternative to road
and air transportation.
“This administration also took steps to increase
power generation by remaining true to the Timelines of the Roadmap to Power
Sector Reform, which has seen history made on Friday, December 21, when
Nigeria’s power generation hit an all-time high of just over 4,500 MW.”
But no sooner had Jonathan posted the message on
his wall than it was greeted with a barrage of criticisms from his friends.
While a few praised and advised the President on
how to tackle the problems bedevilling the country, many others faulted his
submissions.
One of his friends, Kaycee Aloy-Obi wrote, “Mr.
President hold your greetings. You and your family are having great
celebration. A litre of petrol is sold at N110-N120, against N97 which is the
official price. There is unprecedented traffic jam on Ore-Benin road due to bad
roads.
“People cannot go around to visit love ones
because of insecurity. Bury your head in shame with your 4,500 MW when South
Africa is generating 50,000 MW. It is paradoxical that many Nigerians are
having dry Christmas in midst of plenty.”
Yusuf Suleiman, asked the president to match his
words with actions, adding that his “advisers are not telling you the true
picture of what is happening.”
He said, “In Nigeria today, under your watch, the
country recorded the highest looting of our treasury, and you didn’t do
anything. We also have seen how citizens were massacred, in fact, the highest
since civil war ended (and) your government is not doing enough to stop that.”
Also, Bethel Vincent, wrote, “Haba! Mr.
President, you know say lie no good at all. Why post something we have
not witnessed, yet you refer to us as friends and fellow Nigerians. As I am
talking to you, my flat is running on generator; Benin-Auchi road is filled
with potholes and you are talking about airport, how (many) Nigerians can
afford air transport?”
A friend, Ajoba David, wrote, “Sir, congratulations!
Merry Christmas and a happy new year. What do we expect as a New Year gift come
Tuesday, January 1st? Well, I hope it is not going to be another fuel subsidy
razzmatazz like we experienced last year.
“Nevertheless, Nigerians have yet to recuperate from
the fever that was injected into their veins last January as a result of
the purportedly and verbally(sic) removal of the fuel subsidy which Nigerians
have yet to see any sign of seriousness in bringing (those) culpable to book.”
Punch
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