I
sincerely crave your indulgence to go through this advocating and interesting
read by SIMON KOLAWOLE on Nigeria and
his proposals on how to 'Build, Operate and Transfer Nigeria'.
As Culled
From Thisday Newspaper On Sunday 4 December 2016, Kolawole wrote:
Dearly
beloved Nigerians, I have a number of proposals today that may interest you. Or
upset you. One, I respectfully propose that we concession the Niger Delta to
the Netherlands for 17 years. Do not change the revenue allocation formula. Do
not increase the derivation formula; retain it at 13%. In fact, scrap the Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta. Just hand
over the Niger Delta as it is now to the Dutch and ask them to “build, operate
and transfer” the region by 2033. Just a change of leaders. The same followers,
the same land, the same water, the same creeks, the same share of national
resources and the same 1999 constitution.
Let me
fantasise: in just 17 years, the Niger Delta would have a massive network of
well-built roads, electricity would shine bright everywhere, schools would be
brimming with brilliance, quality healthcare would be within the reach of the
people — and the lives of the Niger Deltans would be reformed and transformed.
Let me fantasise further: skyscrapers, refineries, power plants and holiday
resorts would dot the landscape. In fact, the bridge from Port Harcourt to
Bonny Island would finally be built. Just a change of leaders. The same
followers, the same land, the same water, the same creeks, the same share of
national resources and the same 1999 constitution.
My second proposal. The south-east, in my view, is one of Africa’s most blessed
regions in terms of human resources. Hand it over to the Japanese to build,
operate and transfer by 2033. Don’t abolish quota system. Retain federal
character. Forget confederalism. Don’t stand on any Aburi Accord. Simply hand
over the place to the Japanese on a 17-year concession agreement. Just a change
of leaders. The same followers, the same land mass, the same palm wine, the
same kola nut, the same share of national resources and the same 1999
constitution. By 2033, you would swear you have mistakenly strayed into another
country.
Join me in
my fantasy. The first thing the Japanese would do is to come up with a policy
that would make all south-east councils buy their official cars from Innosons
Ltd. All south-east government vehicles would be from Innosons. All lawmakers
would use Innosons cars. All official cars would be from Innosons. All
contractors would patronise Innosons. You know what would happen? Innosons
would be so overwhelmed with orders they would explode! Positive vibration!
They would start assembling vehicles for export to Africa and beyond. Innosons
would become our own Honda. Soon, Simonsons would spring up to rival Innosons.
What we
know as the south-east today would become the manufacturing hub of Africa.
Whatever you want to buy would be produced from there: mobile phones, electric
kettles, shoes, bags, shirts, TV sets, computers, wallets, fans, air
conditioners and photocopiers — all thanks to the Japanese. No, not that the
Japanese would set up these factories. It is the same south-easterners (and
foreign investors) that would be energised to troop to the region as a result
of the leadership the Japanese would offer — easily discernible in clear
vision, cohesive and intelligent policies, creative incentives, tenacity of
purpose and an unwavering, genuine focus on development.
My third
proposal: let us sign a 17-year lease agreement with the Dubai rulers to help
us run the north-central. As usual, I am proposing different leadership only.
Other variables would remain. The same followers, the same land, the same
water, the same yams, the same mangoes, the same share of national resources
and the same 1999 constitution. I will not even suggest modernising “our
agriculture”. I am talking about travel and tourism. Look at Lokoja, Kogi
state, the confluence of River Niger and River Benue. Picture the
billion-dollar travel and tourism industry that Sheikh Al Maktoum could
engineer there within 17 years!
Imagine
what Al Maktoum can do to Jos — that beautiful, temperate city that used to be
the home of expatriates! In 17 years, we would be discussing Jos in the same
category as Marrakech, Pattaya and Cape Town as preferred tourist destinations.
Imagine what Dubai rulers would turn Zuma Rock to in 17 years! This mighty
mountain would play host to Nigeria’s own Disneyland. You would soon be seeing
“Zoom to Zuma” commercials on CNN across the world, shortly after the airing of
“Incredible India”! It would be a destination for local and international
fun-seekers. And to think Zuma is just a few kilometres away from the Abuja
international airport…
I’m
writing just 1300 words, so space would not allow me to discuss concession
opportunities for the south-west, north-west and north-east — or what could
happen if we lease the federal government of Nigeria to Rwanda for 17 years.
Let me now time take questions and observations so that we can close our
discussion and shut down. Your first observation is that I’m being too
simplistic. You said I make it look like it is so easy to build roads, fix
electricity, provide quality health care, improve education standards, develop
tourism and create a manufacturing hub. You said I am living in fantasy. Thanks
for the compliments, but I am not fantasising.
Pack your
bags today and pay a visit to Bonny Island, where the Nigeria Liquefied Natural
Gas (NLNG) plant is located. You won’t believe you are in the same Niger Delta.
The roads are perfect. Electricity is 24/7. Water flows without inhibitions.
The schools, whether conventional or vocational, are of the highest standards.
I am not talking about what would happen by 2033 — I am talking of what has
been on Bonny Island all along, courtesy the NLNG. If you want further evidence
of what oil money can do, you can also visit the Europe-like staff quarters of
the multinational companies in the Niger Delta. Yes, it can be done! I repeat:
it can be done!
Your second question is that I make it look like there are no ethno-religious
and political problems inhibiting Nigeria’s progress, and I talk as if there is
no need to change the constitution, ditch federal character, increase
derivation to 50%, or break Nigeria to pieces.
No, Ma’am,
you misunderstood me. I will never understate the political and ethnic problems
plaguing Nigeria. I am not 100% naive. I see, feel and observe the complexities
everyday. What I’m saying, Ma’am, is that in spite of these challenges, in
spite of our “bad” marriage, we can still make progress! That is why I suggest,
in my proposals, that we should change only one variable — leadership.
Your own
question, Sir, is why a 17-year concession? Why not 10 years? Why not 50 years?
It was deliberate, Sir. We have had an unbroken democratic experience since
1999, and I am saying that if our leaders are actually interested in developing
this country, 17 years is enough to go very far. My proposal is for us to have
a different kind of leaders for the same period of time with the same
followers, the same climate, the same humidity, the same temperature, the same
vegetation, and the same share of resources. The concessionaires would still
contest elections every four years but no Nigerian politician would be eligible
to run until after 17 years.
I can see
that professor is unhappy with me. How on earth can I be asking for a
re-colonisation of Africa by proposing that we hand over to the Dutch, Japanese
and Emiratis? I’m sorry, Prof, I am only speaking in parables. I am saying if
the Dutch could build a country on water, if the Emiratis could create an oasis
in the desert, if the Japanese could develop without natural resources, then
developing Nigeria would be a piece of cake! We are blessed with all the
brains, all the resources to develop this country. Our leaders must use their
brains — or lease one. Forget oil. Forget FAAC. With proper leadership, the
needed billion dollars would flow in from all over the world!
I will
take one more question and then go home. A Nigerian who lives in the UK took
his family to Dubai for the first time in August and called me from there.
“Simon,” he said, “these people have two heads.” We both laughed. So your
question is: are you sure there is nothing really wrong with us? If these
things are doable here, why are we not doing them? Professor Chinua Achebe
famously wrote in The Trouble with Nigeria (1983): “The trouble with Nigeria is
simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong
with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or
climate or water or air or anything else.” #IStandWithAchebe.
