An Article on the Increase in Pump Price of Petrol: The Role of Propaganda, Misinformation, Disinformation, New Media and Its Implications for Sustainable Development
Chapter One
Preamble of the Study
In taking the decision to increase petrol pump price, the government displayed rare insensitivity towards the poor masses of Nigeria who struggle to eke out a living under very excruciating circumstances. Infrastructure remains in a terrible state of disrepair electricity is practically non-existent; roads are in a pitiable state, potable water and basic facilities remain outside the purvey of the ordinary Nigerians. In fact, it is a sad commentary about the state of Nigeria that a citizen would have to provide housing for himself and this family. Besides, he has to provide a road or make the one that leads to his house possible; he has to provide water and worry about security.
Chapter Two
Overview of the Literature
The Role of Propaganda
However, in its current usage, propaganda, still struggling to shrug off its negative perception, has to do with ‘bombarding’ people with certain messages in such a way and manner that the recipients are compelled to accept the message. In a way, it has to do with persuading people to accept positions; it deals with influence. The struggle to influence is not limited to individuals trying to influence friends, it also includes relatives or neighbours trying to persuade others to accept certain positions; it even extends to manufacturers seeking to influence consumers about their products; preachers working on their congregations and, of course, government trying to win the favourable opinions of their citizens. In all cases, while communication is important in propaganda it must be noted that action always reinforces or repudiates an earlier stated position. People tend to believe an action they have experienced rather than what they have only read or seen in the media.
Perception, for our purposes, means the ways individuals view issues, personalities, organisations, governments, etc. Although it is not usually obvious initially, perception is a powerful force in relating and dealing with others. In fact, so powerful is it that conventional wisdom has it that perception leads reality by the nose! The way people perceive issues, events, organisations or even personalities has no known formula; it is an attempt to make sense of the world they live in.
credibility is a major issue in communication as it is hinged on the idea of believability. Overtime, a communication source through consistent provision of believable and honest information, establishes a podium for his information to be readily acceptable. On the other hand, dishonest and deceptive performance in communicating with various audiences, destroys all avenues for credibility. Many governments in developing countries, especially in Nigeria, have, through previous communication efforts, demonstrated gross dishonesty. The natural outcome is that most of their pronouncements are just taken with a pinch (perhaps, a handful) of salt
is a nightmare!
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has given the condition under which there will be an increase in the retail pump price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.
Sylva, in his reaction to the reported increase in the pump price of petrol, said that there will be no increment in its pump price by the Federal Government until the conclusion of its consultation with the Organized Labour (https://www.vanguardngr.com)
Misinformation/ Disinformation
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has warned Nigerians against spreading fake news that the federal government is planning to increase the price of petroleum products. Alhaji Yusuf Shehu, the Controller, Gusau NMDPRA Field Office, spoke on Wednesday at the routine surveillance on filling stations in Gusau.” As we are all aware, a week ago there were serious queues in filling stations here in Nigeria. “That is why we came out on this operation to go round and check the filling stations. “Usually, we got daily records of all the products supplied to the stations from the depot. NMMA“One of our responsibilities is to go round and make sure that the product reached the destinations across the state”, Shehu said. He said that about 90 percent of the products supplied to filling stations from the depot had actually been delivered to filling stations.“ As you can see, the queues have reduced now and most of the stations visited have the product. “We only noticed panic buying by the public because of the spread of fake news that have been circulating that the federal government is going to increase the pump price of the petrol”, he explained. The controller called on the public to shun fake news as it has a negative effect to the development of society. He appealed to marketers in the state to continue to comply with the federal government’s regulations on the supply and sale of the commodity (https://matrixliveng.com)
New Media and its Implications for Sustainable Development.
Sustainable development constitutes the major guiding principles for public policy formulation in many countries of the world today. Attention to the long-term implications of a given policy is inherent in any definition of sustainable development, which concerns itself with balancing the welfare of both present and future generations. Instructively, Fuel subsidies have important implications for sustainable development. For instance, a subsidy that ultimately lowers the price of a given petrol type to end-users would potentially boost its demand. This in turn can bring about some useful social benefits when improved fuel access and affordability by the poor households or employment by domestic industrial sectors are considered as an overriding policy concern. On the other hand, fuel subsidies also carry other economic and environmental costs. It is the task of balancing the cost and benefit of fuel subsidy on the environment and social welfare that constitute one of the policy dilemmas on subsidy reforms, particularly in Nigeria. Evaluating petrol subsidies from the perspective of sustainable development requires that these consequences be considered as a guiding principle for policy.
Importance of Petroleum, the Industry and sustainable Development
Petroleum industry involves exploration, extraction, refining, transportation, marketing etc. Importance of petroleum and its products to the development of the world cannot be overemphasized. Petroleum plays a great role in the production of energy throughout the world. In point of fact, it is the world’s primary energy source. Both technological and economic development has been contributed much by petroleum. On the other hand, petroleum industry has contributed to the loss of other industries like fisheries and tourism, as also degradation of marine environment through oil pollution at sea. It is worthy to note that sustainable development has been interpreted in a numerous different ways. On top of that, its applicability is still facing criticism. Nevertheless, this subject is equally important in as far as development is concerned. Landmark definition of sustainable development is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Environmental sustainability and economic sustainability are essential parts of sustainable development. Therefore, Petroleum industry activities must focus on both environmental sustainability and economic sustainability throughout the journey to sustainable development.
Chapter Three
Conclusion
Sustainable development is a global clarion call for development not only for the poor nations but also for developed countries to eradicate poverty, conflict, climate change, biodiversity loss and resources scarcity for the present and future generations. Sustainable development started with presentation of natural system but later metamorphosis to issues in political, social, economic, environmental and cultural development of the wide world to create a peaceful universe. It is widely accepted that the mass media with its capacity to create awareness and publicity of the issues in most suitable and appropriate to enlighten, educate and inform the populace of the sustainable development goal through its programmes using the radio, TV, newspaper, magazines and posters. Education is most essential ingredients for all ages and stages of the life of an individual, society as well as the nation education can be a total panacea for all social evil when properly planned and executed in formal, non-formal and informal manner.
References
- PPPRA Pricing Template, 2013. Available from http://www.pppra-nigeria.org/pms.htm.
- The World Bank, 2012. Africa‟s pulse. Washington DC,
- Bakare, T., 2012. Much ado about fuel subsidy. Available from http://www.vanguardngr.com.
- Annual Energy Outlook – April 2011 from http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/pdf/0383(2011).pdf
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/petrol-may-cost-n340-litre-after-subsidy-removal-in-2022-kyari/
- https://allafrica.com/stories/202105280672.htm
- https://www.vanguardngr.com
- https://matrixliveng.com
