THE recent confusion over oil production targets is worrying. The government seems unable to set a target for this year. Initially the target was set at 955,000 barrels per day, which was later revised to 965,000 barrels. Then came reports from the field that a realistic target should be only 917,000 barrels per day.

This is more than a dispute over numbers. There are more substantial issues here. The tugging and pulling over the target shows th