Concept Paper for Development of Vision 2020
Introduction
Nigeria’s economic potential is well recognized. It is the biggest economy in the West African sub region. Given the country’s considerable resource endowment and coastal location there is potential for strong growth. Yet Nigeria has realized very little of this potential. Previous efforts at planning and visioning were not sustained. The history of economic stagnation, declining welfare and social instability, has undermined development for most of the past 30 years.
But in recent years, Nigeria has been experiencing a growth turnaround and conditions seem right for launching onto a path of sustained and rapid growth, justifying its ranking amongst the N11 countries. These are the countries identified by Goldman Sachs to have the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic settings and the foundation for reforms already laid.
The previous administration had declared the intention to pursue the vision of placing Nigeria among the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020 and the current administration is committed to the attainment of this vision.
Concept for Vision 2020
A vision is a clear mental picture of the future which must represent a significant improvement on the current state. It however must be supported by a clear and realistic path to its realisation and requires consistent and sustained effort for its achievement.
Key Goals for Vision 2020 - Vision Statement
“By 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena.”
The Development Process, Methodology and Milestones
THE VISIONING PROCESS
In order to ensure the widest buy-in and anchor progressive implementation tied to performance it is recommended that the V2020 be developed and implemented in three stages as follows:
STAGE I: BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR V2020 (2008–2010)
In this stage the first two components of the framework- the NCV2020 and the NSCV2020, should be established by the end of April 2007. The NSC2020 should undertake an immediate review of all current strategy and related documents including the President’s Seven Point Agenda, the NEEDS 2 and other relevant documents and prepare a Statement of National Priorities that will form the core elements of the country’s development plans and budgets during the period 2008 to 2010 and constitute the foundation for V2020. The Statement of National Priorities should set specific targets to be achieved by 2010. The NSCV2020 will also refine the V2020 framework and develop guidelines for the V2020 development process.
STAGE II: ACHIEVING THE MDGs ENROUTE TO V2020 (2011 – 2015)
By end of January 2008 the NSCV2020 will set up the National Technical Working Groups, one in each of the key areas of national priority and all stakeholder groups will establish their Vision 2020 Committees.
Under the overall direction of the NSC, the NTWGs will work closely with the Stakeholder Visioning Committees to develop detailed action plans and implementation strategies and commence implementation of Stage I of the Vision. At the same time Stakeholder Committees will begin the development of the next two stages of their Vision document.
Stage II should focus on achieving all the MDGs by 2015 as a general guide. Stakeholder Committees will determine their areas of focus in accordance with their progress on the MDGs.
STAGE III: BECOMING A TOP 20 ECONOMY BY 2020 (2015 – 2020)
In stage III, the National Steering Committee will develop detailed key goals and targets that must be met in order to achieve convergence with the projected positions of the top 20 economies. These goals and targets will be cascaded into sectors and sub-national levels.
The NTWGs will provide support in the form of data and methodologies as well as capacity building in their areas of specialty. They will also collate and harmonize the various stakeholder action plans and strategies into the National action plan and strategy for NV2020.
Administrative Arrangement
Secretariat of the National Steering Committee
1. The National Steering Committee is anchored by the National Planning
Commission.
2. The National Planning Commission is the Secretariat of the National Steering
Committee.
3. The National Steering Committee is chaired by the Honourable Minister and
Deputy Chairman NPC.
4. The NPC Secretary is Secretary of the Steering Committee
5. The Secretariat is divided into three (3) Teams;
a. Technical
b. Administration and
c. Financial
6. The Technical Team has specific responsibility for the;
a. Technical Content; (Preparation, Developing, Implementing)
b. Programs and Processes; and
c. Editorials and Documentation of the Vision 2020 activities and
deliberations.
7. The Administrative Team has specific responsibility for;
a. Secretariat Services
b. Procurement
c. Media & Publicity
d. Web Administration
e. Logistics
i. Accommodation
ii. Transportation
iii. Equipment
iv. Facilities
v. Protocol
vi. Security
vii. Medical
8. The Finance Team has specific responsibility for;
a. Accounts
b. Budget
c. Fund Raising
NV2020 Business Support Group
The Business Support Group is an initiative of the Secretariat of the National Steering Committee of Vision 2020, which is intended to engender Private Sector support for the NV2020 process.
It is envisaged that the Business Support Group will comprise dynamic and visionary Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs of repute and distinction.
The Business Support Group will be inaugurated by Mr. President. This will expansively indicate that the NV2020 process is inclusive and that all the different sectors in the Nigerian Economy are included in the process.
The key function of the Business Support Group is to;
• Generate Publicity, public opinion and national buy-in.
• Mobilize Resources from the Private Sector
• Organize fund raising activities to support NV2020;
• Provide Technical and Financial suppor
The Business Support Group will have the benefit and opportunity to contribute to the development of visionary policies and ideas, in particular sectors that will propel Nigeria to achieving the NV2020 goals. Post- inauguration, the Business Support Group will brief Mr. President on progress and outcomes of its activities with particular emphasis on the views and perceptions of the private sector in the visioning process.
NV2020 Thematic Areas
The proposed thematic areas for the National Technical Working Groups (NTWGs) are as follows:
1. Agriculture & Food Security
2. Business Environment and Competitiveness
3. Corporate Governance
4. Culture, Tourism and National Re-Orientation
5. Education
6. Employment
7. Energy
8. Environment & Sustainable Devt.
9. Finance
10. Foreign Policy
11. Governance
12. Health
13. Housing
14. Human Development
15. ICT
16. Judiciary & the Rule of Law
17. Manufacturing
18. Media & Communications
19. Mining and Steel Development
20. Niger Delta & Regional Devt.
21. Political System
22. Science, Tech. & Innovation
23. Security
24. SMEs
25. Sports Development
26. Trade & Commerce
27. Transport
28. Urban & Rural Devt.
29. Water & Sanitation 30.
Timeline & Roadmap to Vision 2020
Guided by the need for a high quality and implementable plan, the initially approved timelines for the implementation of V2020 plan have been adjusted as shown in the subsequent diagrams.
Due to the time constraints, there might be a need to review the timelines by the National Council and National Steering Committee.
Based on the proposed Timelines, it is expected that within a 9 month period of constituting the NSC, the V2020 plan could be finalized for early launch by the first quarter 2009.
The Stage 1 of the V2020 plan constitute the 1st National Development Plan - the lift up stage which is aimed at addressing all the identified impediments to the nation’s growth which include: poor power supply, bad transport infrastructure, etc.
Already, these problems are being addressed under NEEDS-2 and the Seven Point Agenda of President - some aspects of the on-going rehabilitation works in the area of infrastructure are provided for in the 2008 Budget.
Based on the revised Timelines, the implementation of the remaining components of the work in stages II & III will span several years.
Acronyms, Explanatory Notes & Glossary
Ref Reference Number
NV2020 Nigeria Vision 2020
NCNV2020 National Council on Nigeria Vision 2020
NSCV2020 National Steering Committee on Nigeria Vision 2020
NTWGNV2020 National Technical Working Group on Nigeria Vision 2020
SDCNV2020 Stakeholders Development Committee on Nigeria Vision 2020
NPC National Planning Commission
HMNPC Honourable Minister, National Planning Commission
NEEDS National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
SEEDS State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
LEEDS Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
FSS Financial Sector Strategy 2020
EMT Economic Management Team
7PA 7 Point Agenda
The 7 Point Agenda is an articulation of Priority Policies intended
to strengthen prior reforms; build the economy; and ensure the
gains of the reforms impact meaningfully on the Citizenry
MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies
COP Communication of Progress
A collation of status and progress reports of all states and MDAs,
compiled by the National Steering Committee – a communication
on the progress of all states and MDAs collated for presentation to
the National Council.
BSG Business Support Group
The Business Support Group is an initiative of the Secretariat of
the National Steering Committee of Vision 2020, which is
intended to engender Private Sector support for the NV2020
process.
STATEMENT OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES It forms the core elements of Nigeria’s development plans and
budgets during the period 2008 to 2010 and constitutes the
foundation for V2020. It sets specific targets to be achieved by
2010.
KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY The knowledge-based economy provides the platform to sustain a
rapid rate of economic growth and enhance international
competitiveness to achieve Vision 2020.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The long term continuity of global society with emphasis on
Nigeria. It invites and allows integrated approaches to social,
environmental and economic issues. It is particularly crucial in
shaping the future of Nigeria and provides a context to examine
inherent sustainability of products and services
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY The adoption of responsible business practices by organizations
operating in society with a view to improving the society in which
they operate and make financial gains
Institutional Framework for Vision 2020
The main organs of the framework for the development and implementation of the Vision 2020 plan are as follows:
A. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON VISION 2020 (NCV2020)
The National Council on Vision 2020 (NCV2020) is at the apex, providing leadership and direction to galvanize the whole nation, with the President as the Chairman. The process would be based on a bottom-up strategic planning process which ensures ownership by all stakeholders. The NCV2020 is composed of the following members:
COMPOSITION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON VISION 2020
S/N MEMBERSHIP NAME
1. The President (Chairman) His Excellency, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR Late
2. The Vice President (Vice Chairman) His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCON, GCFR President
3. The Senate President His Excellency, Senator David Mark, GCON
4. The Speaker of the House of Reps His Excellency, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, CFR
5. Executive Governor – Lagos State His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
6. Executive Governor – Imo State His Excellency, Chief Ikedi Ohakim
7. Executive Governor – Delta State His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan
8. Executive Governor – Kwara State His Excellency, Dr. Bukola Saraki
9. Executive Governor – Bauchi State His Excellency, Alhaji Isa Yuguda
10. Executive Governor – Kaduna State His Excellency, Alhaji Mohammed Namadi Sambo
11. Minister of Finance Dr Mansur Muktar
12. Minister for National Planning Dr Shamshudeen Usman OFR
13. Attorney General of the Federation Michael Aondoaka, SAN
14. Minister of Labour Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN
15. Secretary to the Government of the Federation Yayale Ahmed
16. National Security Adviser Major General Abdullahi Sarki Mukhtar (Rtd.)
17. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Prof. Chukwuma Soludo
18. Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa
19. Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Alhaji Bashir Borodo
20. Chairman, NACCIMA Mr. John Odeyemi
21. Chairman, Nigeria Conservation Society Chief Philip Asiodu
22. President, Nigeria Labour Council Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar
23. Chairperson, National Council of Women Societies Hajiya Ramatu Bala Usman
24. Chief Economic Adviser to the President Mallam Tanimu Yakubu
25. Head of Service Ms Ama Pepple
26. Minister for Agriculture & Water Resources Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma
27. Minister of Commerce & Industry Chief Achike Udenwa
B. NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
The National Steering Committee (NSC) shall consist of about 70 persons to develop the V2020 implementation guidelines and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) strategy ensuring a bottom-up approach by which all key agencies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as State, Local Government Areas (LGAs) etc are encouraged to prepare and implement their “component of the V2020” in line with the national priorities. The NSC will also develop a template for preparing the V2020 strategic plan and annual Communication on Progress (COP), and will collate same to prepare the annual performance report for the National Council.
The NSC will have its membership drawn from the Public and Private Sectors, including other national institutions as follows:
COMPOSITION OF NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
S/N MEMBER NAME
1 Hon. Minister National Planning Commission (Chairman of the Committee) Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman OFR
2 Secretary, National Planning Commission (Secretary of the Committee) Prof. Sylvester Monye, MFR
3 Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade
4 Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mrs. Ifueko Omogui-Okauru
5 Director-General Budget Office of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Finance Dr. Bright Okogu
6 Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President Alhaji Tanimu Yakubu
7 Special Adviser to Mr. President on Power Engr. Joseph Makoju
8 Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum Dr. Emmanuel Egboga
9 Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Finance Mr. Steve Oronsanye
10 Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on MDGs Mrs. Amina Ibrahim
Rep. Dr. Habiba Lawal
11 Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation Ms. Ama Pepple, OON
12 Director General, Bureau for Public Enterprises Dr Anyanwu
13 Leader of the Senate Mr. Teslim Folarin
14 Leader of the House of Representative Hon. Tunde Akogun
15 Chairman, Senate Committee on Planning Senator (Mrs.) Zainab Kure
16 Chairman, House Committee on Planning Hon. Samuel Egya
17 Solicitor General of the Federation Alhaji Abdullahi Yola
18 Ogun State Government Representative Ms. Akinbi Yosola
20 Enugu State Government Mr. Dan Onyishi
21 River State Government Representative Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Planning
22 Niger State Government Representative Alhaji Aminu Yusuf
23 Adamawa State Government Representative Alhaji Abubakar Gamawa
24 Katsina State Government Representative Alhaji Adamu Babangida Ibrahim
25 Chairman Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Hon. Umar Kashim Ibrahim
26 Permanent Secretary- Transport Alhaji Nuuman Danbata
27 Permanent Secretary- Education Moroyo Awosika (Asst. Director) Rep.
28 Permanent Secretary- Energy Power Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu
29 Permanent Secretary - Health Alahji Garba Buwai
30 Permanent Secretary- Agriculture& Water Resources
32 Permanent Secretary- BPSR Mr. S. Matankari
33 Permanent Secretary –Youth Development
34 President Nigeria Union of Journalist Mr. Ndagene Akwu
35 Chairman- Guild of Editors Mr. Gbenga Adefaye
36 LGA- Representative-Kano State Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed Yola
37 LGA Representative – Borno State Alhaji Hassan Zanna Boguma
38 LGA Representative Benue State Ms. Ruth M. Ijir
39 LGA Representative Ekiti State Mr. Kunle Falope
40 LGA-Representative Anambra State Mrs. Enemo Azuka
41 LGA Representative C/River Mr. Ndem Ayara
42 LGA Representative Adamawa State The Representative
43 Director General Debt Management Office Dr. Abraham Nwankwo
44 Accountant General of the Federation Mr. Ibrahim Dankwambo
45 President, National Youth Council of Nigeria Ben Duntoye
46 National Association of Nigerian Students Comrade Igwe Martin
47 Nigeria Bar Association President Nigeria Bar Association
48 Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) Dr. Imo Itsueli
49 Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Chief L.A.O. Osayemi
50 President, Nigerian Society of Engineers Engr. Kashim A. Ali, FNSE
51 Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) Prince Adebajo Abiodon Ashaye FCA
52 Permanent Secretary- Ministry of Niger Delta Dr. Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi
53 Nigerian Economics Society Prof. Akpan Ekpo
54 National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Dr. Ike Abugu
56 National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Dele Oye Esq
57 Institute of Directors. Elizabeth E. Fagbure
58 Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria Mr. Moses Ajayi
59 Representative of Nigeria Labour Council Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson
60 Representative of Nigeria Labour Council Promise A.K. Adewusi
61 Representative of Civil Society Organization Representative
62 Representative of Civil Society Organization Ms. Nkoyo Toyo (Gender & Dev. Action)
63 Representative of Civil Society Organisation
64 Development Partner- World Bank Mr. Onno Ruhl
65 Development Partner - DFID Mr. Eamon Cassidy
66 Development Partner- European Commission Amb. Denis Theolin
67 Development Partner – United Nation Systems Dr. Alberic Kacou
68 Representative of Academia 1 Executive Secretary Nigerian Universities Commission- Prof. Julius Okojie
69 Representative of Academia 2 Vice Chancellor Ahmadu Bello University- Prof. Abdullahi
70 Representative of Academia 3
71 Nigerians in Diaspora
72 Nigerians in Diaspora- Central Association of Nigerians in the UK Dr. Mark Abani- President CANUK
73 Nigerians in Diaspora – Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) in America President- NIDO in the America
74 Nigeria in Diaspora- Organization Europe Dr. George Manwuike
Mr. Collins Nweke
75 Institute of Directors Chike Nwanze
76 Special Adviser to the President on NEPAD Dr. Dele Gege
77 DG. NISER Prof. Tunji Akande
SECRETARIAT OF THE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
The National Steering Committee will be anchored by the National Planning Commission (NPC) which shall serve as the Secretariat. It shall also be chaired by the Minister and Deputy Chairman NPC with the Secretary to NPC as its Secretary. The Secretary to the NSC is closely assisted by three Deputy Secretaries. In order to allow for inclusiveness, the private sector is actively involved in the process. In this regard, the Director General of NESG has been engaged to serve as one of the Deputy Secretaries.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP FOR V2020
The National Steering Committee shall be supported by the National Technical Working Groups (NTWGs). The NTWGV2020 will comprise of about 20-25 groups of experts for the identified thematic areas drawn from both public and private practitioners with responsibility, expertise and passion for the area. They may also be assisted by consultants where necessary to undertake specific studies or research work to provide the data necessary for the working groups report. The National Technical Working Groups shall also work closely with and assist the stakeholder groups in preparing their vision 2020 documents and COPs.
STAKEHOLDER V2020 DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES
The V2020 would be a bottom-up strategic plan in which each major stakeholder group will prepare its V2020 document based on the guidelines approved by the National Council in line with the national goals and priorities. It is intended to have about 20-25 stakeholder committees. Stakeholders will include State Governments, MDAs and other key institutions.
While the MDAs and other Stakeholder Development Committees are expected to provide information that will feed into the NV2020 Plan, the State Development Committees will generate information that will feed into the State V2020 documents using the Federal Guidelines.
ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Economic Management Team will serve as Think-Tank to drive the visioning process. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the EMT are members of the National Council and National Steering Committee on Vision 2020 as well as provide the vital link and feedback from both directions between the National Council and the National Steering Committee. They will therefore provide the vital link and feedback from both bodies
Indicative Parameters
To attain this overarching goal of reaching the top 20 economies by year 2020, the Country will need to enhance her economic development performance as illustrated by the under listed key parameters. Suffice to say, these parameters are not exhaustive.
Polity By 2020 the country will be peaceful, harmonious and a stable democracy.
Macro-Economy A sound, stable and globally competitive economy with a GDP of not less than $900 billion and a per capita income of not less than $4000 per annum.
Infrastructure Adequate infrastructure services that support the full mobilization of all economic sectors.
Education Modern and vibrant education system which provides for every Nigerian the opportunity and facility to achieve his maximum potential and provides the country with adequate and competent manpower.
Health A health sector that supports and sustains a life expectancy of not less than 70 years and reduces to the barest minimum the burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and other debilitating diseases.
Agriculture A modern technologically enabled agricultural sector that fully exploits the vast agricultural resources of the country ensures national food security and contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
Manufacturing A vibrant and globally competitive manufacturing sector that contributes significantly to GDP with a manufacturing value added of not less than 40%
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
NIGERIA'S ECONOMY, THE WAY FORWARD
NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC WAY FORWARD
Any government that wants to excel and meet the needs of her citizens without strategic planning seems to be building a castle in the air. Modern day politics has far evolved from partisan politics to tackling issues on ground and if we in Nigeria allow ourselves to be left out in the wind of change, we would be like the proverbial 5 maidens that forgot to buy kerosene for their lantern awaiting their master’s arrival.
Project Planning takes short term, medium and long term dimensions, and what dimension a government should take at any point in time should be based on the issues facing the economic and social environment of such government.
At one time in 2008, when the economy of Nigeria seemed to be booming, the stock market, financial institutions and insurance companies were all reporting elephant profit maximization and investments of private individuals and firms were fast recouped in a little short time. Only few people like us envisaged the problems that were posing around by the sudden sky rocketing price of oil in the international market. Then the foreign investors who made up huge portion of the Nigerian stock market took their money to make quicker and huger profit from oil in the international market. HOW MANY NIGERIANS SAW IT COMING, even the ones in control of the NSE? Most of our reports and forecast were based on speculation. It is pitiable that a country as big as ours has no solid data house that can allow statisticians and experts to come together to digest events that happened yesterday, the ones that are happening today, so as to be able to know what would be our fate tomorrow. Little wonder we have been the way we are. Little wonder it does not take us anything to build but takes us everything to maintain what we built.
The global meltdown has engulfed even the countries that we least expected and here we are running, beating about the bush talking about job creation and bailout for companies. The question is; should we have been affected in the first place, should the impact be up to what it is now and still going to be, if we had a proper strategic and economic planning? These questions would have easily been answered and the answer would have been NO.
When Peter Drucker was writing America on the economic problems they would face “blue collar jobs”, no one took him serious.
The same problem has gone beyond what we think in Nigeria today and we still can’t learn our lessons and differentiate between partisan politics and good governance. The present government of Alhaji Yar’adua’s VISION 2020 is indeed a good project planning if well defined and implemented. There are certain questions that need to be answered if we wish to make headway;
First, what are these set goals we want to achieve?
Second, to this current government who obviously will not be in power to see the accomplishment of these project, it has automatically made it a long term project, so the question the president needs to ask here is how do we accomplish a long term project even after we have vacated the sits? Will the VISION be a regime portfolio? That would be devastating.
Third, what are the materials to work with to see to these set goals? These include human, financial and other raw materials that are viable to the accomplishment of the set goals.
Forth, are the materials we have chosen relevant and coherent with the projects?
Fifth, what plans do we have on ground to take care of short term and minor projects that would raise their heads on our way to achieving the long term projects?
Based on the above questions, we have to applaud the government for realizing that we have problems which need to be attended to by setting up the goals. But that’s not all, how can we appraise the steps so far taken to achieve these goals?
From the look of things, there is no clear and definite view of what the VISION 2020 project is focused on, we keep talking about power, roads, employment, improved standard of living, structural improvement, agriculture, education, good health and lots of them. Every issue that emanates from the system so to speak seems to draw attention. ‘WE CAN’T BE JACK OF ALL TRADE’, therefore the first wrong step the government has taken on the project is trying to encompass all problems that pose ugly head by the way.
The second wrong step is that the government has blatantly refused to separate national issues from party issues.
Project as huge and demanding as the VISION 2020 should make effective and efficient use of the best materials in the country to execute it and should not be seen as an avenue to compensate politicians, individuals and party members. How on earth do we have a committee of 452 members for the execution and implementation of VISION 2020 project? Sir, we don’t need too many hands to strategize the project. We need just a few hands, just a few professional hands, experts, who shouldn’t be more than 14 people. We need just a good strategic planner, an economic analyst, a civil engineer, a town planning analyst, an educationist, an industrialist, an agriculturist and health personnel. They can be paired to bring about quality deliberation before reaching a final conclusion on the project execution.
They should be given a specific period to tender their report which should be passed to the house for deliberation before they are signed into law by the president. Sir, a committee of 452 members will only create problem rather than solving one. MY LETTER TO MR PRESIDENT.
WHY NIGERIAN ECONOMY THAT OUGHT TO BLOOM IS GLOOMY
When oil was discovered we assumed we have arrived, a land so blessed with vast natural resources decided to decline and deviate from the maximization of the other tremendous resources deposit in our land. Now that the prices of oil has crashed and will still deteriorate further, I think it’s time we started looking inward to solving our problems and not leaving them in the hands of opportunists to determine how our economy should run. If in axiom we want to include maximum job creation in the vision 2020 project, we have got to look towards maximizing other resources that abound in this country to help ourselves. There is no economy that is service and import oriented that will succeed. It will always be a syndrome of quick money back which will always hyper the inflationary rate in such economy, this has been Nigeria’s undoing over the years. Now is the time for us to revive our production orientation, start producing for ourselves and by ourselves.
We’ve got; zinc, iron ore and cast in this country, these are used to manufacture cars; the importance of agriculture can not be over emphasized if we want to maximize the resources deposited in our lands. Yes our technology has not grown to where we’d produce by ourselves, but we’ve got those companies as the Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans and host of American, Korean and German auto makers of this world doing their businesses in Nigeria, just sales. They own these companies; they create jobs with them in their various countries and only use their products to get money made in Nigeria by selling just finished products to us. We could get these companies to come and site in Nigeria, use our human and mineral resources to produce these cars at lower labour cost, by so doing our unemployed youths would have been gainfully employed, the cost of these automobiles would be drastically reduced, our technological advancement would speedily improve when we have our youths working in those automobile factories.
LACK OF MAINTENANCE CULTURE, A DISASTER TO NIGERIA
Anyone who learns to build but does not learn to maintain what he builds is worse that he who does not build. This has tremendously been the undoing of Nigeria’s economy. It is so disheartening that we spend huge sums of money building and developing infrastructures in Nigeria only for us to look back after few years to find out that such beautiful infrastructures are left unattended to. If someone could build refineries in Nigeria and they were up and working, it shouldn’t be a hard knot for another to see that the refineries are always operational. Rather, just because of our individualism someone got to sabotage the system so as to get a right to import the same oil we produce. The effect of this is that when we take our oil to refine abroad, obviously it is not just one product that comes out of a refined oil product, therefore the other products like kerosene, engine oil, black oil, Vaseline, cottar and lots of them will either be sold/left abroad or we would import them just like petroleum. These are things we should have at no extra cost in Nigeria; above all, their processing in Nigeria should engage a lot of people in one job or the other.
HOW WE CAN MAKE THINGS WORK AGAIN
As we clamor for change, being among the top 20 world best economy and vying to achieve the vision 2020, it is very vital that we make sure the machineries are put in place. The issue of power should not only form the major part of the vision 2020 and economy stability, power should be engineered towards achieving the VISION. Therefore power stability should be a pre-vision 2020 project and as well form part of it for maintenance and improvement. If actually we want to attract foreign investors that will mainly be production oriented and transform our economy from consumption to production oriented and create various jobs, power is inevitable.
It is as well of immense importance to learn to recycle our wastes. It creates jobs, it boasts the economy, and it boasts self dependence.
Health and education should be prioritized in the vision, these are projects that would develop the Nigerian citizens and productivity would be enhanced, agriculture should as well form the bedrock of the VISION.
Our banks are obviously trying, but my observation with most of our flourishing banks is that they lend out money made in Nigeria to our so-called Indian and Lebanese foreign investors who enter this country with just briefcases and are not ready to fix any single structure of their own on our land. They walk to our banks, borrow money from them and start one service or sales firm on rented offices, use the money borrowed from Nigerians to import goods and sell back to Nigerians and make fortune out of Nigerians and we all celebrate them as our foreign investors. When there is a little crisis in the economy, they dust their briefcases abandon their rented offices and fill their pockets with profits made from Nigerians and go their way without giving a second thought on how to make the economy better. No commitment.
We’ve got to believe in ourselves, we’ve got to make things work in this country again. If Japan could do it, if China could do it, Nigeria can do it, yes we can.
NIGERIA: GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION.
God bless Nigeria
‘Heroes are ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things’
When I want something done perfectly I do it myself!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)