We must commend the Nigerian Senate for holding their 2007 Retreat in Port Harcourt, right in the Niger Delta...and its "Theatre of War"! Courage.
We must double the kudos for their "limited creeks' tour" of the region...... to see things for themselves! And, did they see!!
They were so depressed, disappointed, disgusted and charged-up by their firsthand discoveries! Some wept!!
In the end, our senators returned to Abuja, DETERMINED to right da wrongs - the heartless and relentless rape of the people and their land! Bravo.
Now, we must ask the House of Reps to do same: Take a freehanded tour, like the Senate, so you can all be on da same page!
Change is at hand. CHANGE be afoot. Thank God.
Showing posts with label Niger Delta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Niger Delta. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
OIL MONEY SAGA: A New Maths
It is time to redo the mathematics of oil & gas (O & G) revenue in Nigeria. By the way, this new deal will rub off on all mineral-bearing and producing areas in the years ahead. Health Warning: This may be a harrowing experience for die-hard cynics and faint-hearted politicians!
In the extant regimen, oil operations for the most part be a 60/40 Joint Venture in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. With the present practice of revenue consumption, the Federal Government(FG) has over the years failed the Niger Delta people. Things are now so bad that our country has been branded a "terrorist zone" within OPEC and the international community! Pity.
EIGHT years into full-blown democracy, the political elite has compounded the situation, and is obviously in need of new ideas. As we proceed to general elections in April, not much is on offer by the political gladiators! They are massively distracted and disparate!! Worrisome.
It is now time to proffer a "People's Solution thru' New Maths". We need to rework the sums, both at investment and consumption levels. And we should do so with courage and total conviction. I will be a prime mover and humble crusader in this seminal approach to quality and sustainable intervention in my homeland. It will be a "Win-Win Maths" package for all: states, federal, zone, activists, operators and host communities. Preparatory consultation be afoot.
The good thing about this ground-swelling change is that new sets of leaders are expected to emerge by May this year, and these folks are unlikely to bear the avoidable baggage of failed history. They would be more progressive, credible, competitive and forward-looking. Hope.
Staying the course with present policies be no option!
In the extant regimen, oil operations for the most part be a 60/40 Joint Venture in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. With the present practice of revenue consumption, the Federal Government(FG) has over the years failed the Niger Delta people. Things are now so bad that our country has been branded a "terrorist zone" within OPEC and the international community! Pity.
EIGHT years into full-blown democracy, the political elite has compounded the situation, and is obviously in need of new ideas. As we proceed to general elections in April, not much is on offer by the political gladiators! They are massively distracted and disparate!! Worrisome.
It is now time to proffer a "People's Solution thru' New Maths". We need to rework the sums, both at investment and consumption levels. And we should do so with courage and total conviction. I will be a prime mover and humble crusader in this seminal approach to quality and sustainable intervention in my homeland. It will be a "Win-Win Maths" package for all: states, federal, zone, activists, operators and host communities. Preparatory consultation be afoot.
The good thing about this ground-swelling change is that new sets of leaders are expected to emerge by May this year, and these folks are unlikely to bear the avoidable baggage of failed history. They would be more progressive, credible, competitive and forward-looking. Hope.
Staying the course with present policies be no option!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Campaign Hints: We Need FACTS-n-FIGURES!
Just an early advice/warning to aspirants and political parties: Don't waste our time with bland and woolly talk. Use FACTS and FIGURES: from government/official and researched/unofficial or commissioned sources. Elections 2007 is no business as usual. No.
Nigerians need credible analysis, alternative propositions and enlightened debates/attestations: How will you plan, design and execute robust sustainable development within your sphere of governance and tenure? What will you do differently, given our known/expected resources? In particular, how will you tackle and fund education, agriculture, infrastructure and security? What game-plan do you have for rural development and rural-urban migration? How will you tackle the proverbial brain drain, turning it to brain gain? What's in store for the neglected and now-boiling oil-rich Niger Delta, with its restive and agitated populace?
And the mother of all factors: How will you deal with CORRUPTION???
No one should enter the fray be it at local, state or national level without a very clear vision and mission - based on sound reasoning, backed with FACTS and FIGURES. None.
Nigerians need credible analysis, alternative propositions and enlightened debates/attestations: How will you plan, design and execute robust sustainable development within your sphere of governance and tenure? What will you do differently, given our known/expected resources? In particular, how will you tackle and fund education, agriculture, infrastructure and security? What game-plan do you have for rural development and rural-urban migration? How will you tackle the proverbial brain drain, turning it to brain gain? What's in store for the neglected and now-boiling oil-rich Niger Delta, with its restive and agitated populace?
And the mother of all factors: How will you deal with CORRUPTION???
No one should enter the fray be it at local, state or national level without a very clear vision and mission - based on sound reasoning, backed with FACTS and FIGURES. None.
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