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 Published
August 12th, 2010
Over the years, Nigeria has contributed militarily and economically to the
development of her brother African countries, but her brothers have rather seen
these contributions as acts of despair rather than act that should be mutual.
African countries have turned their backs on Nigeria yet “Africa is a centre
piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy” our brother Ghana is really making things
difficult for our businesspersons in Ghana through high tax rate and stringent
process of company registration. Though this is a consequence of a pathetic
condition of our infrastructure in Nigeria, so that entrepreneurs now go to
neighboring African countries where power, good roads, water and viable and
patriotic civil service exists.
Recently we hear that GLO is packing up in Ghana as the government has
hijacked conditions for profitable business, replacing it with an indigenous
telecom company. Nigeria contributed enormously to the peacekeeping mission in
Liberia, Somalia, Dafur and other African countries. Thousands of Nigerian
soldiers died leaving their families back home with nothing to live on and
without government welfare but the reconstruction of the war turned Liberia has
been given rather to South Africa, Japanese and Russian construction firms.
Nevertheless, America that has taken the front seat in support of the war in the
Middle East through the support she gave to Israel in the war has taken the
contract of the reconstruction of the infrastructure in the war turned Middle
Eastern region. That is why a classroom in Warring Palestine is better than the
ones in “peaceful Nigeria” Africa’s economy is improving than that of the
so-called “Giant of Africa” is fallen apart. When America is battling with 9.5%
unemployment rate, Nigeria is struggling with unemployment rate at over 70%,
inadequate infrastructure, and high rate of corruption.
Nigeria is the 12th largest producers of crude oil and eighth largest
exporters of crude oil yet she allows herself to be ridiculed and humiliated by
her economically young brothers. Nigeria import 85% of her crude due to
mismanagement of her four refineries, owing to some government aristocrats who
are unscrupulous in the management of Nigeria oil sector. In the last three
months, Nigeria entered an agreement with China to construct three refineries in
Nigeria worth 23 billion dollars, to be located in Kogi, Bayelsa and Lagos
states this will be financed by China and its banks so as to reduce the
importation of refined fuel into the country. However, the question is do
Nigerians understand the terms of the deal? Moreover, how much benefit China
stands to enjoy? Because in international relation there is no permanent friend
but permanent interest.
Nigeria should redeem her lost image by building infrastructures that will
boost entrepreneurship in and small scale industries in Nigeria, she should cut
down on importation, restrict the borders and concentrate on building local
industries- first producing basic amenities to meet local demands and then for
exports. The only way Nigeria can redeem her image internationally is through a
free and fair election come 2011, economic boom, viable civil service and a
patriotic citizenry.
Ushie Henry Ekpe |
