The above question may sound strange to readers who may take it for granted that the functions of government in any society is given and well known by the people. We are not unaware that government is that institution members of a society have jointly surrendered and assigned some roles to play for them to serve their best interest and well being.
The above question is till pertinent in the light of the experiences enjoyed by a people especially in the Nigerian society where the people are not seeing the presence of government. It is unfortunate to note that virtually everyone except the beneficiaries of bad governance are lamenting
Government has it as a responsibility to protect the lives and property of the people as well provide for their well-being by instituting policies that add value to the people. Sadly, the reverse is the case. It is even more painful to note that with each passing day the unhealthy situations we find ourselves keep deteriorating without any solutions in sight.
As hopeless as the situation, matters are not further helped by the fact that those compounding the challenges are the same persons (government officials and politicians) who were entrusted with the destiny of the people. Politicians are so reckless, selfish and corrupt that they have shut their ears against the cries of the people.
Things have indeed fallen apart to the extent that people are now questioning if there is still any values derivable from government anymore. Many painfully hold the view that there is no Nigeria again drawing from the experience that the succour and comfort, protection and well being the mother country ought to provide are no longer there.
Every day we live is strewn with various tales of woes from bad economy, political brigandage, wastage of lives and properties, and poor infrastructure not able to support life, etc. The bitterest of it all is that all of these are happening in a country flowing with milk and honey, abundantly blessed with huge natural and human resources but chose to toe the path of wastage.
Nigerian citizens in recent time have not stopped lamenting and querying what the value of government? What can we boldly say is the value of government in an era the citizen is not sure of his security in the next moment. Life has been so devalued that its sanctity is so grossly violated even when we cannot create one.
Lamentably, the governments at all levels have transferred their responsibilities to the citizens leaving one to wonder what value they are adding to the people. As a result of power failure people now generate their own power through provision of generating sets. The costs on the people are enormous and those without the capacity suffer inconvenience no power supply.
The roads are in terrible condition snuffing lives out of people through road accidents. Through self-help those who can are managing to patch their roads.
It is no longer fashionable that to see government as we witnessed in the past provide pipe borne water. The few who can afford it now sink boreholes while those who cannot afford buy the water. Life ebbs away fast with deteriorating conditions of patients who suffer one ailment or another but cannot obtain treatment for lack of drugs.
News Echo condemns the situation we have boxed ourselves into and warns those who are managing our affairs that there are consequences to every action. Whatever a man sows he reaps.
