Sunday, January 21, 2007

Research-AFRICA: R & D for ENERGY

I've watched German and Chinese TV channels overtime with awe and pain at once! The efforts, pains-takingness, costs and pride with which they pursue, promote and preserve their national development and heritage are simply astounding. I've read endlessly about Japan and South Korea: their leadership in cutting-edge technology without trashing their rich culture! I've also followed the resurgent pride with which old India is emerging as a sure-footed super-power. Oh, these folks just thrill me! Then Brazil: its industrial prowess and huge energy strides. Now, it is proudly a member of the celebrated, if dreaded, "BRIC" block (Brazil, Russia, India, China)! Wow.

Whither Africa? That is my question, and quest, each and every time. And it hurts and thrills at once! I know that a few countries can do same solo but we better do things jointly from now on: The African Team - The African Way!

With the combined human, natural and financial resources at their disposal, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Algeria and Libya should lead the way right away.

Day One is about Research and Development (R&D).

Day One is about our skilled souls, heads and hands both Home & Diaspora.

Day One starts with ENERGY in all its ramifications, especially RENEWABLE sources.

Kick-starting this intervention must naturally be SOLAR, HYDRO and WIND energy supply for both the continent and the world. I am thrilled by the vast expanse of deserts, mountains and waters within our territories as well as the rich untapped and under-utilised agro-spaces. Our ecology and geography are awe-inspiring, breath-taking and exotic! Why waste them?

See what the Libyan President did with channeling water from the Mediterranean (8th Wonder of the World, it was dubbed)! Come to Nigeria and see what a wonder the Tinapa Project of our Cross River State is: a tourism master-stroke by a youthful visionary governor!

Part of my concern is the plight of poorer African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Many of them also have our links to the rather docile Commonwealth of Nations. If we act sensibly and courageously, we can pull these countries out of poverty, and up with us all. I am particularly worried about their energy bills - in the face of crippling oil/gas prices. How do they cope?!!

With the SIX listed African countries putting in a billion US dollars each, we can get the private sector to match the grant for this intervention: somewhere between 12 and 20 billion dollars will spin surprises in this project. And that's not an arm and a leg, is it?

Let's sign the cheques!

Re: Foreign Air Fares

Kudos to Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode for setting up an investigations committee into the unfair air fares charged Nigerians by foreign airlines! It's been an imperialistic racket of sorts, and a betrayal of the tenets & beauty of competitive market forces. All patriotic African governments should act right now! Neither Europe nor the US will permit such aberrations.

An additional kudos to the youthful minister for calling the airlines to order on the shabby and despicable manner some of them treat Nigerian Travellers! The press reports on these cases have been as chilling as they have been disgusting. For airlines making a "killing" on Nigerian routes, it is simply scandalous to tolerate such heist. Where is quality assurance and where is customer care?

In this regard, to both help the airlines and respect our nation, the minister should institute a compulsory passenger assessment card to be checked/ticked by all travellers on all flights and delivered into secure drop-boxes. Initial period: 24 months. After that, randomly in league with tourism authorities. This should cover both arrival and departure operations and services.

While it took all of EIGHT years for this "reforming" and "privatizing" administration to see the rip-offs and disrespect, let's just say "better late than never". Pray, let justice be done.

The panel reports in about 3 weeks. Good.

And we wait.

Friday, January 19, 2007

The AU and ECOWAS Challenge

My firm belief is that Nigeria owes the Black World (thru' the African Union, AU) and our West African brethren (thru' ECOWAS) sincere and committed leadership. It is trite to say our future is intertwined and inseparable. We should learn from the EU.

By some stroke of oil & gas we are in a position to do so much and so soon if we have the political and moral will. We should set up mini and medium refineries and energy facilities in the five or six strategic zones of the continent. This will help drive sustainable development and ameliorate the obscene poverty and human sufferings sweeping and seeping through the region.

Nigeria must swiftly act to boost agriculture continent-wide by employing the Youths & Women of Africa. Putting US$5bn to work over the next three years will take care of food insecurity and famine. We have IITA and other agencies to backstop such a laudable, overdue and inevitable intervention. Using our lands and waters for the good of one and the world is a task that must be done! We have no business begging for food aid in this fertile area of the planet. It's a needless shame which we can, should and must STOP! Yes.

Finally, we must now devolve and decentralise both ECOWAS and the AU...to the PEOPLE of AFRICA. We must wrest them from the strangle-hold of the Establishment, bureaucrats and failed "Do-Little" politicians. Let the people own the instruments, and drive the renaissance.

The time is now!