HOPES of 2013 being a better year than 2012 are built mostly on fragments of antiquated promises, worsened by public officers holding the public responsible for their lethargic performances.

“The task of making our dear nation a better place for present and future generations cannot be left to government alone. Leaders and followers alike have critical roles to play in our march towards the fulfilment of our great national potential,” President Goodluck Jonathan told Nigerians in a New Year message.

How are the people supposed to support a democracy that remembers them only during elections? What people-oriented projects were executed in 2012? Which ones are planned for 2013? The government is alienated from the people. It listens to itself and repeats speeches, further proof that it is not making much progress. The alienation is such that either government has set very low standards for itself or the peoples’ expectations are too high.

Either way, government’s list of its achievements do not relate to realities of living in Nigeria. “We have in the last year achieved a lot in terms of the positive transformation of vital sectors of our national life such as public infrastructure, power supply, oil and gas, transportation, education, health and agricultural development,” President Jonathan said.

Where did the transformations take place that Nigerians are unaware of them? Would transformation of oil and gas sector exclude uncertainty of fuel supplies and the sector’s fame for corruption? What specific projects did government execute in the areas it listed? Were they for the benefit of our people?

Unemployment is rising; manufacturing and industrialisation are shutting down on the wheels of exorbitant costs of doing business, particularly electricity and the collapse of transportation systems which inhibit economic management of distribution of goods.

The public do not see the bases of the President’s optimism which could account for its near indifference to calls for more support for the administration.

People are getting poorer by the day. They are hungry. Harsh economic policies, often tailored to suit “our international friends” and insecurity, are hurting our people. Corruption further minimises chances that resources available to government would be applied to the common good.

Senate President David Bonaventure Achelenu Mark, “can see the light at the end of the tunnel”. Like President Jonathan,   Mark argued that, “Those in elected offices cannot bring forth this light alone. Government alone cannot build a society where everyone is free and safe.  We must come together to ensure a secure and progressive nation”.

Government needs to do more in 2013. For starts, it should stop speaking in general terms about its projects. How does one evaluate a “better year” without targets?