REVIVING MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN NIGERIA

BY: JIMOH ABUBAKAR
Nigeria as a giant of Africa has for long been regarded as a nation blessed with abundant human and material resources; however, the underutilization of these potentials has amplified a widespread poverty, low standard of living at individual level and rising unemployment in the country as a result of incessant mono-economic practice and drastic neglect of other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, tourism, mining and the manufacturing industry. In spite of the country’s vast oil wealth, a recent report from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has shown that majority of Nigerians are poor with 71 per cent of the population living on less than one dollar a day.

The United Nations Human Development Index (2007) also ranks Nigeria 158 out of 177 countries which is a significant decrease in its human development rank of 151 in 2004; and World Bank Development Indicators (2000) have placed Nigeria within the 20 poorest countries of the world. The issue of poverty can be easily traced to mono-economic practice and underutilization of the nation’s endowed resources, especially in manufacturing sector which could have opened up windows of opportunity in job creation and economic development.

So far, it has been argued that the fastest trend through which a nation can achieve sustainable economic growth and development is neither by the level of its endowed material resources, nor that of its vast human resources, but technological innovation, enterprise development and industrial capacity. For instance, despite its poor natural resources, and the hurdles it faced from 1920s chronic inflation, Germany has effectively exploited the manufacturing sector and rose up to become the largest economy in Europe and the fourth largest in the world.

This was achieved after the Europe recovery program instituted in the 1950s by the America’s foremost World War II military leader, George Marshall to rebuild the war-shattered Europe. The ideology largely concentrated on industrial revolution which gave birth to the four-year Marshall economic plan adopted by both French and German governments. Consequently, these nations have witnessed concrete development in their industrial investments, infrastructural development and significant level of employment generation. Just as America regained its strength and became the world industrial giant through aggressive industrial revolution following the cold war that led to the breakup of former Soviet Union in the 1990s.

In the modern world, manufacturing sector is regarded as a basis through which a nation’s economic efficiency is determined, measured, compared, classified and ranked. However, after the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria in the late 1950s, the nation has shifted from its preeminent developing industrial production base and placed heavy weight on crude oil production; not only has this jeopardized its economic economics activities, but also aggravated the nation’s level of unemployment.

Nevertheless, the well-known developed economies have over the years adopted some initial tactical and favourable measures in pursuit of their economic growth and development through massive diversification of their economic resources into manufacturing sector to enhance their Gross Domestic Production (GDP) capacity. These measures have paved way not only for employment opportunities, but also raising standard of living at individual level that a developing world like Nigeria can exploit to attain a balanced economic growth and development.

Creating an enabling environment is an imperative for Nigeria to attract and sustain both local and foreign investors for industrial and commercial activities in the country. This refers to effective national policies, laws, physical infrastructure (road, electricity, water, healthcare, etc.) and other infrastructure (access to education, banks etc.) that need to be put in place for people to be able to use Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for economic, commercial and social advantages. For instance, the United Arab Emirate (UAE) has been able to put in place the industrial enabling environment to pull both local and foreign investors through whom it has recorded a remarkable development in its economic activities. Following this trend, Dubai became the largest economy in UAE after Abu Dhabi.

Of course, it is not in doubt that Nigeria is identified among other African nations with vast material and human resources that could help to drive series of manufacturing industries. However, the country still lags behind. For instance, Canada majors in wood production and contributes 10% to the global forestry product for it has recorded more than 75% (23.5 million hectare) landscape for forest production. Consequently, the country has put in place effective Forest Protection Laws backing forest harvest in the country. Through forest production, Canada has been able to save about 3 million jobs in the last 5 years. Consider in this case, the death of Jebba Paper Mill which would have paved way for employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Stable power supply is another factor which largely determines the presence and development of manufacturing sector in any developed economy. Regular power supply has marked the basis for the increasing level of intensive capital production among the G8 economies such as West Germany, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Russia and Canada. Ghana has followed same trend and ends up attracting most of foreign Manufacturers such as Nigeria Dunlop Ltd which vacated Nigeria due to irregular power supply. Also, about 90% of the Textile Industries previously operating in the country have relocated to other countries in search of regular power supply. This has caused the nation millions of job opportunities and capital flight.

This wholesome development has not only discouraged investors at both local and international levels, but also driven away the existing manufacturing industries. Nigeria electricity generation which presently stands at 3, 800 Mega Watts cannot sustain all the nation’s energy needs. Recently, the Nigeria Energy Commission (NEC) reported that the manufacturing sector alone will consume about 2000 Mega Watts of electricity to keep the factories in the country running at installed capacity. The country remains the worst hit by the dwindling power supply which has led to the near total collapse of the entire industrial sector. Nigeria needs a critical reform in power sector to attain economic growth and development.

International Sustainable Energy Watch (2006) has indicated a glorified industrial and agricultural development from Iran whose 94.4% electricity generation capacity results to rapid increase at 7.4% much higher than the population and economic growth rate meaning a substantial improvement in industrial and agriculture utilization as well as per capital consumption of electricity. The collaborated effort of the South Africa Department of Minerals and Energy, and an Independent Power Producers, Eskom towards implementation of 2008 South Africa Response to National Electricity Shortage Policy has generated a fast-tracking electricity projects which has reinforced the nation’s industrial sector.

Some developed economies have focused on security of lives and property in pursuit of sustainable growth and development. Just as United Kingdom has hitherto put in place effective security scheme and constant review of its National Security Strategy that draws both local and foreign capitals, Nigeria can follow same trend and put in place workable security strategy that will secure the investors’ lives and property in the country.

Nigeria has demonstrated a lukewarm attitude towards Research and Development sector despite a number of R & D institutes including universities and polytechnics in the country. However, these institutions are poorly funded; as it is evident that the nation’s annual estimation provides little percentage for the R & D sector of the economy. Science and technology research has been found to be important since it plays an integral role in the creation of new knowledge and skills as well as driving the world economy. Notable advanced nations like United States places more emphasis on R & D as it allocated about 64.8% to R & D in 2010 fiscal year.

The inability to translate research discoveries into reality is another menace backpedalling and discouraging manufacturing research and development in Nigeria. The sector, if skillfully manned will lay a solid foundation for a fresh agro-chemical development that will be a critical factor in agro-economic expansion and indirectly answered industrial needs for raw materials. For instance, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) (2009) opined that development of competitive agro-industries is crucial for creating employment and generating income opportunities, as well as enhancing the quality of and demand for farm products. Also, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (2011) has pointed out that China records economic boom through significant market restructuring and reviving economic environment, production and consumption volume of agro-products have risen.

Today, the crops developed during the Green Revolution Technologies were high yield varieties; as they were domesticated plants bred specifically to respond to fertilizers and produce and increase amount of grain per acre planted. In view of this, Briney (2010) states “the use of Green Revolution Technologies exponentially increased the amount of food production world wide”. Nigeria can as well lay a considerable emphasis on agricultural research and extension services such as provision of agro-technological training facilities for research institutions and scholarships for agro-technological students in higher institutions.

Nigeria needs a considerable review of its tax policies also which must be done to catalyse investment and commercial activities from both local and international directions as well as discouraging importation of goods, especially the basic needs for which the country has production capacity. The Nigerian Company Income Tax Act (CITA) of 1961 amended in the year 2007 mandates a deduction of 30% tax rate on a Company annual income for the assessment year. Consider the comatose level of infrastructural facilities in the country; this percentage would become a burden on some industries, as they might lack the capacity to dutifully observe their tax obligation at regular period. For instance, Russia is identified among the G8 economies for it has placed an enabling environment and favourable Industrial Tax rates between 20% and 24% on manufacturing sector.

Furthermore, tax can be used as a weapon to discourage the ongoing massive level of importation in the economy. For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported that Nigeria has spent N155bn on rice importation in 2010. This awful phenomenon has called for a question as why should Nigeria be a major importer of rice as it is blessed with good climate and resources to produce the commodity locally? The consistent massive importation has indirectly reduced the nation’s Foreign Reserve from $46 billion to $33 billion in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

There is a compelling need for the review and full implementation of the Nigerian Industrial Policy of 1977 which aimed at encouraging and advancing the interest of Nigerians and enhancing their full participation in the control and management of business activities in the country; as various forms of abuses and shortcomings in the implementation of this Policy have prevented the full realisation of its noble objectives. It has been reported that the foreigners still connive with Nigerians to fake business ownership in the country. Consequently, Nigerians have little control over industrial enterprises.

Nigeria can learn from the French government which has put in place favourable Industrial Policy that has over the years helped to protect its citizens participation in the national enterprises development towards the international competitive advantage. Following this trend, the country has attained the fifth position among the world largest and wealthiest economies, and second largest economy in Europe.

Nigeria consists of 36 states with blessed vast mineral resources such as Coal, Tin Ore, Glass sand, Quartz in Cross River; Zinc Ore, Lime stone, Salt in Ebonyi; Iron Ore, Gemstone, Limenite in Bauchi; Petroleum, Copper, Gold, Marble in Edo; Silica sand, Mica, gypsum in Ogun; among others. In fact, Nigeria has proven deposit of over 1.5 billion tons of Coal, but this has yielded no concrete development for the country as they are transformed only by means of modern technology which the country presently cannot provide.

Another way Nigeria can exert a pull on manufacturing sector with a considerable employment opportunities is recycling production. It has been argued that each household produces around one ton of rubbish every year, which equates to around 29.1 million tons for the United Kingdom each year. Waste materials have for long posed series of environmental challenges to Nigeria. United Kingdom has seen waste management as an opportunity for recycling activities and employment generation. Nigeria can take advantage of its environmental conditions and develop a workable recycling system to enhance capacity building. This will automatically resolve both environmental pollution and unemployment in the country.

Jimoh, Abubakar
NYSC Member writes from
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Economy, Uncategorized

Ensuring New Fiscal Equity in Tax Administration

ABUBAKAR JIMOH

The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 once said “common contribution is essential for the maintenance of the public forces and for the cost of administration. This should be equitably distributed among all the citizens in proportion to their means”.

The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs Ifueko Omoigui recently announced new tax regime which is a product of the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act, and came into effect on June 14, last year. The policy compels the president and his vice as well as governors and their deputies to pay tax on their earnings; as this will help to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in the country.

The newly introduced tax regime is a progressive tax system that has been described as a type of income tax system in which persons or corporations are assessed at a greater percentage of their income according to the theoretical ability to pay. In this case, people with a higher disposable income suffer larger percentage of their income in taxes than those with low or moderate earning power in the country.

Hitherto, progressive tax has been reported to appeal to the average person’s sense of fairness, equity and equality, it also has been the basic drivers for countries of the world that has adopted the system. For instance, in China the tax brackets under the progressive tax system range from 5% for the poorest citizens to 45% for the country’s elite; from 5% to 40% in Japan; from 0% to 45% in Australia; between 19.5% and 49% in New Zealand; while in the United Kingdom, progressive taxes range from 20% to 40% of a person’s taxable income.

Under Nigeria’s new income tax rate, a first earning of N300, 000 will attract 7% tax, while subsequent income of the same amount will be taxed at 11%. Those who earn N500, 000 would be made to pay 15% of the income as tax in the first instance, while 19% would be charged on subsequent earnings of the same amount; earnings of N1.6m will attract 21% tax, while income above N3.2m will attract a tax of 24%.

The fresh rates will mark a new era of equality in Nigeria tax administration as it reflects largely on take home pay of those political office holders previously excluded from tax obligation. That is, the President earning N1.171million, Vice President earning N1.010million, Minister earning over N650 thousands, Senate President earning over N724 thousands, Deputy Senate President earning over N673 thousands, Senator earning over N1m, Speaker earning over N412 thousands, Deputy Speaker earning over N381, Members of House of Representatives earning over 792 thousands, State Governor, Local Government Chairman earning over N295 thousands naira are liable to pay higher aggregate as tax than common civil servant whose monthly minimum pay is N18, 000.

The system will not only control individual spending behaviour, but also guarantee their protection during recession since they will fall into lower income bracket when their income drops.

The ongoing emphasis on taxation imposed at all levels will mark a new outlook for National Income diversification and discourage mono-economic practice in the country. For instance, taxes provide the most important revenue source for the Government of the People’s Republic of China. As the most important source of fiscal revenue, tax is a key economic player of macro-economic regulation, and greatly affects China’s economic and social development.

Just as the progressive tax is used in advanced economies, Nigeria can use its new tax regime as a tool for economic stimulation and development. The United States government for example, has a number of tools available to influence the economy and secure the well being of its citizens. Fiscal policy allows the government to utilize spending and tax revenue on projects the government chooses to support.

These actions of the government to achieve economic goals are enacted through legislation which has marked the initial action taken by the FIRS while proposing the new tax system. Also, the US government has used economic stimulus legislation to support those affected by the events of September 11, 2001, and more recently, to support the financial and automotive industries; which Nigeria can exploit towards the resuscitation of its socio-economic capacity.

In low economy situation, the government can take positive action through economic stimulus bills. These bills or legislation specify the allocation of funds to specific areas of need. These areas could be general in scope and their recovery beneficial to the majority of the population. They could also be targeted or specific, as in natural disaster relief without seeking for much external grants or debts.

Progressive taxation is often considered as an overall system since tax codes have many interdependent variables. For example, progressive income tax in Australia is the most important revenue stream within the Australian taxation system. It is levied upon three sources of income; individual taxpayers, business income and capital gains. These account for 66% of federal government revenue and 57% of total revenue across the three tiers of government.

Besides, the new development will help to curb illegal manipulations surrounding the system to as far as grassroots level; this is because the local government area councils power regarding tax collection has been ceded to the state government. This will primarily enhance central co-ordination, reduce cost of tax administration collection and eliminate multiple tax burdens on the people.

However, for the new tax regime to achieve its main objectives, the Joint Tax Board must ensure competence, transparency, fairness and justice in the collection and administration of tax in the states. This can be achieved by giving administrative powers to tax authorities in the States with the provision of statutory qualifications for appointment as chairman and members of state Boards of Internal Revenue and provisions of basis for funding through the retention of a percentage of tax collected.

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC at Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Abuja. abujimohoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Economy, FIRS, income tax in nigeria, nigeria tax regime, nigeria tax system, progressive tax, withholding tax in nigeria

PEACE-BUILDING TOWARDS CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

As a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with great interest in the Disaster Risks Reduction (DRR) campaigns, I received an invitation to attend a 2-Day Seminar organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) which was held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The workshop was on Peace Building and Conflict Management for sustainable development in Nigeria, with a theme “Response to Violence Conflict and Disasters”.

At the event which had in attendance major stakeholders in disaster management, many factors were suggested to have resulted to crises in Nigeria over the years. For instance, the Director General of NEMA, , Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi attributed insecurity and violent conflicts confronting the nation to socio-economic struggles, drought and desertification, massive urbanization, landslides, weak traditional and socio-political institutions. He also blamed ignorance, intolerance among various groups and communities, unequal distribution of resources among others.

From the outset, participants at the workshop which included traditional rulers, youths, labour groups, community leaders and members of security forces, realised that conflicts and disasters share common links because disasters cause conditions which weaken state and lead to conflicts. They identified the current state of conflicts and insecurity as having roots in Nigeria’s history, social exclusion, diversity, growing poverty rate, developmental and governance challenges. Meanwhile as some of the participants noted the inevitability of conflict and disaster, the resource persons sensitized participants to be committed to conflict and disaster management as peace is possible and conflict and disaster are preventable and manageable.

Interestingly stakeholders, especially from Plateau, Plateau and Nasarawa and others whose states have witnessed intense communal clashes expressed their willingness and commitment to collaborate and synergize for conflict, disaster and security management.

Nigeria is presently confronted with cases of insecurity and violent conflicts that continue to challenge the country’s democracy, stunting economic growth and development. These deadly conflicts have decreased the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), affected social cohesion, the standard of education, increased religious intolerance, weakened traditional and religious values, and are serious threats to the national quest for stable democracy. This situation is not unconnected with the disintegration of our value system, especially among the youth who are always manipulated by elites for selfish interests. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons; the transnationalization of terrorism; globalization; unequal distribution of resources are issues that have been traditionally identified with conflicts. However, the rise in natural and man-induced disasters have further exacerbated the state of insecurity and violent conflicts in Nigeria.

Towards the end the participant at the peace-building workshop agreed on the need for a broad based and people driven approach to security management as well as involving traditional and community institutions in conflict and disaster management initiatives at all levels.

Issues bordering on unemployment rate in the country were also discussed extensively as Nigerian youths are susceptible to violent conflicts and insecurity because of idleness, illiteracy and joblessness. In this case, the participants recommended knowledge, skills transfer, and local technical support to promote self-help skills are as essential principles toward peace building. The engagement of youth through skill and technical capacity building programmes were advocated to prepare and diversify their skills for employment. The fight against corruption is also recommended to be intensified in order to combat the endemic institutional corruption in the country while calling on security operatives to abide by the rule of engagements and professions in conflicts situations.

It was unanimously agreed that there is the need to improve collaboration among all stakeholders to build trust, synergy and confidence in disaster management in Nigeria, while the Nigerian business sector must put in resources to peace making, peace building programs in collaboration with the government.
In an effort to reduce remour mongering and reckless speculations that were noted for some crises, the stakeholders at the forum called on the relevant authorities to build the capacity of Nigerians in ICT and in the application of social media networking in conflict and disaster early warning response, and in confronting misinformation that exacerbates conflicts and insecurity.

As Nigerians, we are all stakeholders in disaster management and peace-building efforts. Therefore we have the responsibility to make peace a reality and be conflict managers and not conflict generators.
The workshop was able to achieve its aims and objectives of reviewing strategies for violent conflict and disaster responsiveness in Nigeria; it is only hope that the orgnisers NEMA and IPCR would replicate the same in other geopolitical zones, not only as talkshop but to follow-up on the recommendations.

Abubakar Jimoh
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Disaster Management, NEMA peace workshop, NEMA/ Peace building, Peace Building in Nigeria, Peace Building Workshop, Sani-Sidi

Zero Fuel Subsidies: The Preliminary Concerns

ABUBAKAR JIMOH

The removal of fuel subsidy means different things to different people in the country. While the policy makers view the decision as a crucial roadmap for national development, the masses on the other hand believe it is putting more burdens on their meager earnings. The lack of palliative measures and the negative vices inherent in the nation’s socio-political and economic institutions such as corruption, financial misappropriation, gross mismanagement, abuse of office, and incompetent political office holders has made it difficult to trust the government.

Prior to the removal of fuel subsidy, there are a number of basic issues that must be concretely addressed by the government to cushion the hardship that may arise from such policy. These measures have been fundamentally considered by the advanced economies such as China, Russian, Ukraine, Iran, and Australia before the removal of their fuel subsidies. It is significant to note that government’s failure to adopt these measures may result in fresh era of national poverty, this being the consequences of the new prices of petroleum products.

Meanwhile, there have been several attempts to educate the nation on the need for fuel subsidy removal. For instance, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) averred that Nigeria has four different local refineries located in Kaduna, Warri and two others in Port Harcourt with the total production capacity of 445, 000 barrels per day considered insufficient to the national demands. While the estimates of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) shows that the landing cost of a litre of petrol is N129.21; the margin for transporters and marketers is N15.49; the expected pump price is N144.70; and the official pump price is N65, meaning that the federal government pays N79.70 as subsidy on each litre of petroleum consumed in the country; and this should therefore call for the removal of petroleum subsidies.

Nevertheless, promoting private sectors’ ownership of the local refineries and privatizing the existing ones for technical expansion and efficiency remains the reliable option that can be put in place to achieve effective development; as it is widely believed that privatizing the current government organizations would give birth to management efficiency and large scale production capacity. In support of this, one of Nigeria’s famous economist and public analyst, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko (2003) states that governments in collaboration with the private investors or sole private investors can commercially build and develop the nation’s refineries rather than expending large sums in rehabilitating the existing ones with no value to show since 1999.

Besides, the American Library of Congress (ALC) has observed that Saudi Arabia through its policy on public and private individual ownerships of oil refineries, has become the world’s most important oil producer given its relatively high production levels accounting for nearly 13% of the world output and 35% percent of total Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1991, serving both domestic and international needs. Consequently, the kingdom’s dominance in international crude oil markets has become unchallengeable. Also, the Private sector of Iran in affiliation with Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance through the support of the reformist members of the Iranian government and the society, have strategically executed a successful Five-Year Development Plan between 2005 and 2010.

Reviving Nigeria’s railway system is an important step to take before the removal of fuel subsidy. This will serve as a measure to curb the arbitrary increase in public transportation fare which would invariably lead to general increase in price level of goods and services.In this case, the participation of private investors in provision of modern railway system in replacement of the current dilapidated ones through the appropriate amendment of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Act of 1955 will yield positive results.

The construction of private railway networks across the six geo-political zones in the country can be achieved by allowing full-fledged indigenous ownerships and control by business magnets such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Jimoh Ibrahim, Mike Adenuga, among others who are economically vibrant, and have contributed positively to the development of the country in their various domains. This policy will not only help to tackle the rising costs of transport, but also resolve transport congestions and road accidents across the country.

Consider countries like Japan, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, South Korea and Taiwan which have developed speed train networks and by so doing redefined mobility in their respective nations; while China with over 1.3 billion people has strategically taken proactive measures at resolving its transportation challenges by continuous investments in railway systems through the conjoined effort of states and private participation. Following this trend, their economy became the world dominance in progressive pursuits of the faster railways system.

Leading by example and reducing to the barest minimum, the high cost of governance is a fast way to gain peoples’ confidence in leadership and support for the removal of subsidy. For instance, the Coordinator, African Centre for Media Information Literacy, Chido Onumah recently lamented the president’s plan to spend over N1 billion ($6million) on food; the vice president’s N1.7 billion ($11.3 million) budget on trips and N1.3 billion ($8.6 million) on office stationeries in 2012. The tax payers’ money is spent in such manners with zero consideration for the masses well being. It is not a surprise when a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) revealed that majority of Nigerians are poor with 71% of the population living on less than $1 a day.

The primary objective of fuel subsidy removal cannot be attained while the rate of corruption increases, a common socio-economic and political disease largely identified with Nigeria’s administrative atmospheres. Tackling corruption would have helped to explain accelerating cost of fuel subsidy from N300 billion, N561 billion to 1.3 trillion in 2008, 2010 and 2011 respectively without increase in volume of the commodity. The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) presented to the National Assembly about 4 years ago which would have helped to lessen corruption in the oil and gas sector is yet to gain consideration. Consequently, Nigeria has become a state where corrupt officers move freely and throw elaborate parties to celebrate their return from prison sentences. Corruption must be seriously tackled so as to achieve developmental objectives.

Recently, the Chairman of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Prof. Asisi Asobie and the Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) represented by the Deputy Comptroller General, Tariff and Training, Julius Ndubuisi at the sitting of the House of Representative Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Probe has indicated lack of transparency, accountability and due process in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in managing the nation’s fuel subsidy so far. This calls for an urgent intervention if the purpose for which the nation is removing fuel subsidy is to be achieved. Similarly, the Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Engr. Elias Mbam, has lamented at the same sitting the rot associated with subsidy administration.

Provision of good roads across the country is important for the development of Nigeria and the well being of its people, this should be another important area that demands serious attention if fuel subsidy is to be removed. Over the years, poor road networks have retarded Nigeria’s economic development and effort to alleviate poverty. Despite Nigeria’s enormous potential for growth and development, the horrific nature of the nation’s road facilities has badly affected the socio-economic well being of the masses.

The analysis of Corporate Nigeria Publication (2011) observed that government’s budget for transportation has steadily increased over the last three years such that in 2008, transport’s budgetary allocation was hiked to $623.9 million, more than seven times the sum allotted in 2007; in the 2009 budget, transport budget estimated at $754.6 million; and in 2010, the estimate was $840.8 million. However, in spite of the huge capital budgeted on road projects annually, the nation records high rate of road crashes resulting in avoidable loss of lives and property.

This therefore calls for the privatization of road construction and rehabilitations in the country which would be a logical idea to achieve productive professional and sincere implementation of the road projects. Also, the private investors should be given the chance to skillfully manage the road projects with personal capitals; and construction of toll gates on the highways for the collection of taxes for revenue and maintenance. The bad state of the roads has resulted in years of unbearable rising transportation fare suffered by the masses.

Furthermore, regular power supply is one of the primary concerns of any nation; this area must be addressed before removal of fuel subsidy. Steady supply of power will necessitate industrial development which will pave the way for employment opportunities and reduce unemployment to the barest minimum. Nigeria’s economy is worst hit by the dwindling power supply and has led to near total collapse of the entire industrial sector. Expert posits that total privatization of Nigerian power sector will help to uphold and moderate the present falling energy capacity for both individual and industrial uses, just as it has been achieved in the telecommunication sector.

Lastly, Nigeria can learn from Malaysian government which has privatised its electricity generation and authorized the Director General of Electricity to issue licenses for the construction and operation of electric generation plants resulting in the restructuring of the National Electricity Board of Malaysia as a corporation in 1990. Through the privatization programme, the economy has recorded impressive performance in its commercial and industrial activities.

Abubakar Jimoh is a member of NYSC at Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC)
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Economy, Elias Mbam and fuel susidies, fuel subsidies, nigeria fuel subsidie, NNPC, oil subsidies, subsidies removal

Still on Agricultural Potentials from Oil Revenue

BY: ABUBAKAR JIMOH

Prior to the discovery of crude oil at Oloibiri Oilfield in Niger Delta in 1956, Nigeria had showed a remarkable record as one of the major exporters of agricultural produce across African continent. The nation witnessed a new era of socio-economic tardiness after the take-off of oil exportation in 1960s.

The over-reliance on income from oil sector has become a factor backpedalling states’ economic and financial capacity as their only source for income mainly from the monthly federation account allocation. Not attention is paid for Internally Generated Revenue through aggressive diversification despite the vast agricultural endowments in their respective states.

Advanced economies such as France, Germany, Italy, China, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Brazil and Canada had at the outset embraced agro-economic diversification through which they have improved their national income generation from cash crops. Most states in those countries saddled themselves with responsibility for productions of specific agricultural commodities from which the governments derived revenue for states’ developmental finance.

Nigeria from its humble beginning, especially at the Independence, had such efficient measures, as every region or state identified with particular agricultural outputs such as Alien Cotton in the South, rice and wheat cultivation in some northern states. There were also extensive production of export crops such cocoa, palm oil, groundnut, cassava, maize, rubber, yam, beans, tomatoes, vegetables, cashew and development of agricultural implementations as well as designing farm buildings using the fertile landscape from which the states derived larger Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to finance their capital and recurrent votes.

Considering these, most states in Nigeria such as Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Cross River, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom, Delta and Rivers having profuse oil palms can liaise with their respective State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SCCIMA) on all matters relating to agricultural purposes; to monitor the performance of their cash crops, receive suggestion where necessary, and organize seminars and Trade Missions to maximize, modernize and export their products. Similar institutions exist in Indonesia and Malaysia known as Palm Oil Chambers that assist their farers on the use of sophisticated agricultural equipment for enhancing and improving the oil quality and fertility. Malaysia has so created over 500, 000 jobs with over 150 countries as its major markets in 2009.

In Cassava production, Ogun, Kwara, Cross River, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Osun states can collaborate with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) on its ongoing siting of a cassava processing cottage industry in the country, and explore the use of new facility like ultra modern cassava processing equipment to reduce the hardship cassava processors have been going through. This will help them to attain technical skill, improve, modernize and standardize their productive capacities. Just as Thailand for instance, has made considerable advance in modernizing its starch industries using technologically advanced industrial plants such as Belt conveyer, chipper machine, screw pump, rotary filter, starch hydro-cyclone; and proficiently transformed cassava into various finished goods serving as raw material for different industrial sectors such as bakery, animal feeds, paper, textile, wood furniture industries across the globe.
Maize is another very vital cash crop in the world agro-Industrial market. Indeed, Nigeria Investment Opportunity (2011) observed that the crop constitutes about 60% of industrial raw materials confirmed useful mostly in the production of filler for plastics, packing materials, insulating materials, adhesives, dyes, insecticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. The United States Grains Councils (2010) observed that United States, China and Brazil are well known key players in the world corn market with 41%, 19.4% and 6.9% of the world production respectively.

There is a need for well-funded Agricultural Research and Development in the states where governments of such maize growing states like Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger and Zamfara can bring their famers together under the auspices of the Maize Association of Nigeria for training on the utilization of the latest technologies for massive production of maize to meet both local and international industrial demands.

Furthermore, states like Ondo, Osun, Kwara, and Kogi, who are endowed with copious hardwood species like are Iroko, mahogany, Obeche and sapele woods can strengthen their productive and technological capacities and put the local sawmilling industries in workable condition. A study conducted in 1993 by the General Wood and Veneer Consultant Ltd, Canada in partnership with the Federal Department of Forestry disclosed that Nigeria has witnessed a significant reduction in number of sawmills in the country; and the existence ones operate at low capacity. For instance, the Canadian Encyclopedia (2011) confirmed that forestry production constituted about 15.2% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Export in 1994; while currently producing 22% of the world forestry exports. The economy has achieved this, not only through its technical capacity in the sector, but also government collaboration and support for the industrial associations by building up a sufficient forestry production team for the world market.

Apart from these, the states in riverine areas like Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Lagos, and Abia can boost their IGR by diversify towards Fishery production, rice cultivation, and vegetable plantations. According to an Oceanographer, Craig Emerson (1999) for over 3,000 years, China has continued to dominate the world fishery production with 83% of the world’s aquaculture output from which it has largely multiplied its annual Gross Domestic Income. It has achieved this height so far using hatchery technologies and integrated farming systems. These methods have been used in Bangladesh, Burma, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea and Philippines.

Jimoh, Abubakar, an NYSC member writes from Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Abuja.
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Economy, agric revenue, cash crops, IGR, Nigerian agricultural sector, revenue diversification

AVERTING FIRE DISASTERS IN NIGERIA

ABUBAKAR JIMOH

The ongoing amplifying rate of fire accidents in the country where hundreds of live and property worth billions of naira are lost annually to fire disasters has become a subject of concern among the people. Just as few days back, about 65 shanties were gutted by fire in Ebutte Meta, Lagos state, followed by other fire incidents consuming billions of naira commodities at Keffi Central Market of Nassarawa state, and Gamboru Market of Borno state. Catastrophic personal injury and devastating socio-economic and psychological damage arising from fire outbreaks would always remain a remarkable account to the victims.

In an estimate of 7129 fire accidents, about 990 lives are lost annually in the country; while the United Sate Fire Administration (USFA) statistical analysis has showed that there were about 3,320 deaths and 17, 000 related injuries occurred in the year 2008 from series of fire accidents. Also, the death associate with different fire accidents result not only from burns but also from smoke inhalation and toxic gases as it did in November 2011 to Nandnagari community of Eastern Delhi and Nigerians’ victims of fire mishap in Saudi Arabia.

Recently, following an effort to avert fire disasters across the country, a study conducted throughout the six geo-political zones by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Federal and States Fire Service has revealed that several causes could have resulted to the various fire disasters in the country; and such include accidents and carelessness, faulty wiring, reckless use of electrical appliances and heating gadgets, unattended stove and gases, children playing with matches among other causes.

In view of this, the Agency has recommended several useful guides through its programme on Disaster Risks Reduction to prevent individual from fire disasters in the country. In this case individual is advised to avoid smoking in bed, and ensure that he douses his cigarettes in water before disposal so that they will not re-ignite. Smoking is one of the common causes of fire outbreaks in homes, offices including public domains. Several disastrous fire occurrences have resulted from re-ignited discard cigarettes that are not properly extinguished.

Besides, early detection of a fire is a very crucial step in fire protection and this should be ensured through individual alertness, volunteer system and automatic fire detection systems. A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Mass residential devices can be installed in industry, commercial complexes to issue a signal on fire alarm system; while household detectors, known as smoke alarms can be set up in homes to generally issue a local audible and visual alarm on anticipated fire.

In the markets, Safety Awareness Task Force can be inaugurated to carry out general and constant survey of the entire market areas during and after the daily activities. Also, there is a need for the Heads of the Markets in collaboration with the established Force to draft the rules guiding the use of electrical gargets and unauthorized diversion of electricity must be disallowed; while failure to observe these will result to sanction if not banishment.

Kitchen is known to be more prone to fire outbreaks; and it is advisable never to leave cooking pots and pans unattended even for a short while, as many leave the kitchen when something is still cooking; and this has accidentally resulted to fire eruption. Therefore, ensure that the gas tank, ovens, and stoves are shut off so that food won’t be burnt and the flammable gas won’t leak. Also cooking, it would be wise to avoid wearing loose clothing as they can easily catch fire.

Never leave burning candles unattended, and avoid placing them near air vent, plastic, carpet or windows where they can be knocked down by wind. Keep candles, matches, lighters and other flammable materials out of children’s reach. In a study conducted by United States Burn Awareness Coalition, it has been discovered that matches and lighters in hands of children have resulted to burns which constitute the major cause of accidental deaths in children under the age of two; while fire and burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental deaths among children between age 1 to 4 years, and the third leading cause of injury and death between age 1 to 18 years. So,

Electrical appliances are other reasons for fire outbreaks. Remember to turn off and unplug your electrical appliance after use; and avoid placing them near sources of heating like the store, fire place, or furnace. An Indian safety expert, Srinivas Katta (2011) identified such electrical conditions that can be fire hazards to include damaged electrical conductors, overloaded sockets and extension cords, faulty wirings, blown fuses, low quality electrical equipment, malfunction of electrical devices, loose electrical connections, and lack of clearance between electrical heating devices and combustible materials.

Install at the strategic places, standardized fire extinguishers in home, office and public auditorium. Avoid using wrong fire extinguishers; and learn how to use it. Mostly, fires are extinguished by water or sand. Special foam chemicals are used in case of oil fire; electric fires are extinguished by switching off electricity and using carbon-di-oxide to extinguish the fire. Forest fires can be extinguished by beating the burning bushes using handtools and by cutting a strip through forest to prevent fire from spreading.

Furthermore, create an effective fire escape route; and teach your family how to use this in case of emergency. This is because in a fire outbreak, it is very easy to become disoriented by smoke, flames and darkness; while If you and your family have planned and practiced your escape route, you will be better prepared ahead of a situation when you have to escape a fire in your home. This should be designed in such a way that any person confronted by fire anywhere in the building can turn away from it and escape to a place totally safe from the building.

Abubakar Jimoh is a Member of NYSC in Abuja
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Disaster Management, DRR, fire disaster, fire outbreak, fire preventions, fire service, market fire, NEMA

RAISING PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS ON BOMB EXPLOSIONS

BY: JIMOH ABUBAKAR

In recent time, Nigeria has witnessed series of bomb blast incidences since the emergence of some militant groups in the South- South region and the Boko Haram Islamist sect in northern part of the country. Their activities have made life miserable for other citizens, and have almost left the nation’s security apparatchik in confusion as to how to overcome the situation.

Also, through their activities they have brought pains and tension among the people, making the environment unsafe for socio-economic and political activities, which adversely affects the progress of the nation. It’s on record that that some of the bomb explosions in the country have led to loss of lives and property worth millions of naira.

The recent Kaduna explosion was a terrifying experience in Nigeria as over N200 million values of cash and property, as well as lives of innocent people were destroyed.

From their activities in Nigeria, the militants like terrorists do not fight or attack on the basis of one-to-one, but disguise in trying to accomplish their mission while using explosive devices that can be detonated at a distance.

The issue has raised great concern among most Nigerians; as not even the women, children and elderly people are spared or safe anymore. Indeed, nobody is at the moment free of danger from such violent attacks. The security personnel, civil servant, political office holders, traders and religious leaders have fallen victims of previous attacks by members of the groups and no one knows who the next victim might be.

Although, many became victims of these attacks due to ignorance or failure to exercise precautionary measures that would have prevented them from the dangers. Higher percentage of recent bomb blasts across the country show that the bombers take advantage of the porous security situation in the country to execute their plans.

There is the urgent need to drum more support on security consciousness in the country and every one becomes a stakeholder in the struggle.
Interestingly, officials at the Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the country and particularly in Abuja, the Camp Commandant, Capt. Joshua O. Onoja, while counseling the newly mobilized Corps members on security consciousness and community policing, advised the Corps to be vigilant in any given community they found themselves in.

The National Emergency Management (NEMA), on the other hand, has ensured timely response to disaster situations and also provided relief materials via the leadership the agency’s dynamic Director-General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who at different forum, assured that the agency is prepared to contain issues relating to disasters in Nigeria.

It is very vital to plan ahead of time by putting the necessary preventive measures in place so that we can effectively handle bomb threats as well as minimize damages to property and loss of lives whenever they occur.
This is achievable if we sustain the systematic vehicle search and build barricades at the entrance of public offices and parks. These include installation of scanner and detector- X-ray machine, employing metal detectors, and using Inspection Mirror to help detect explosive devices if fixed in a vehicle.

The explosion at Abuja Force headquarters and the subsequent attack on the United Nation’s building exposed the level of security lapses even at such sensitive government institutions in the country. Some of these attacks could be averted if the government intensifies regular security patrol at strategic spots, and installed Intruder CCTV Camera in sensitive areas like the main entrance, perimeter, reception room, mail room, and other areas for accurate surveillance.

At individual level, we should take note of unidentified packages, unexpected mails and watch out for strange movements within our community or offices. We should be wary of suspicious appearances and actions as well as cultivate the attitude of reporting to the appropriate authorities any suspicious item discovered around them.

Since bombers would like take advantage of busy environments, the security personnel and even individuals should be vigilant in places like markets, schools, hotels, and cinema and take action whenever alarm is raised. Security checks in these areas should be intensified to prevent explosive attacks.

There is need to beef-up and streamline the security operative at the entry and exit routes in our market places, ensure that thorough search is conducted on every vehicle and motorcycle entering the market; and Special Inspectional Task Force should be appointed at the market places to enhance their operation.
We should also be aware of the that some bomber prefer to disguise as travelers to sneak their way into long route commuter vehicles, so as to carry out their deadly mission.
General search should be conducted on every passengers and luggage, using detective apparatus like the metal detectors, X-ray machine before they could board any vehicle. It would not cost much if the authorities at various parks create a special place where this inspection will be conducted.

In the event of an explosion, however, people should stay away from the original scene as terrorists like to initiate secondary explosives near, causing more casualties among responding authorities and curios members of the public. A similar incident happened during the October 1st, 2010 explosions in Abuja. It was reported that the explosion had occurred in two separate occasions, killing the initial victims and the sympathizers who came in respond to the casualties.

Experts have however advised that people should keep as far as 300 to 400 hundred feet distance from the depressed zone.

Jimoh Abubakar is a Youth Corps Member in Abuja
abujimoh01@yahoo.com.

Filed under: Disaster Management, Bomb blast, disaster risks reduction, explosives, NEMA and bomb blast, United Nations

EMERGENCY MGT: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE NYSC YOUTH VANGUARD

Corps members & Captain Joshua Onoja in a disaster mgt course.

BY: Jimoh Abubakar
It is no news that one of the primary functions of disaster management operation is to rescue lives and property of distress persons in emergency situations. Over the years, however, the Nigerian youths have played active roles in the campaign for disaster management and initiatives not only for personal community development service, but also a platform through which they make valuable impact in the life of the people, as well as contribute positively to the national development.

Consequently, in efforts to achieve its mandates, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has given prior consideration to the youths’ involvement in disasters management programmes across the country. The collaboration between the National Youths Service Corps and the NEMA whoch gave birth to NYSC-NEMA Emergency Vanguard, has spurred youth participation in disaster and emergency management in the country.

The fusion also aims at positioning the Vanguard to mobilize the youths for active contributions in disasters rescue operations to strengthen the scope of scheme on disaster risks reduction across the country.

Thus the NYSC Emergency Volunteer members have been very useful in awareness creation, early warning and warning and information dissemination. Their activities, according to observers had helped greatly in the area of disaster management and control, especially during the recent floods, communal clashes and bomb blast where few of them were recorded as victims.

This explains why the Director-General of NEMA, Muhammed Sani-Sidi, recently let the cats out the bag when disclosed that the agency was working towards integrating its volunteer groups, including Grassroots Emergency Corps, NYSC Vanguard to be formidable platforms in curtailing disaster through advocacies and assistance as “first responders during emergency situation in any part of the country.”

According to the DG, the enhancement of disaster risks reduction and individual Youth projects in the country was aimed at creating public awareness on safety and precaution against disasters through contestant publications using modern medium on disaster mitigation was commendable. These efforts, he said, would pave way for heterogeneous awareness on disasters management campaign in the country.

In the meantime, the Vanguard has the objective of working closely in collaboration with disaster management agencies, private individual and organizations, stakeholders and school proprietor towards creation of extensive awareness campaign on disaster risks reduction across the country. The Partnership with these groups would aid proper monitoring as well as, enable members of the public heed to early warnings on predicted disasters by relevant agencies for the safety of lives property.

The Vanguard is concerned about timely information of members of the public on measures that should be taken against reoccurrence, safety tips to exercise by distress persons and prediction of future disasters.
Also, regular conferences and workshops often organized the agency are entitled towards domesticating NEMA’s mandate of the public enlightenment on the need to be conscious of disaster situations as well as the strategies to adopt when it occurs.

Through constant endeavor by the agency in providing succor to victims in adversity, more awareness on the agency’s programmes, policies and the latest developments on disasters in the country have been created.

But, as the efforts are ongoing, what hitherto seems to be major challenge for stakeholders in disaster control is the fact that, in most communities the decision to heed expert advice is primarily determined by their cultural perception, which is often transferred into people’s response to disaster situations thus resulting to series of damage to lives and property of many communities.

The involvement of community-based orientation of community base orientation in issues of disaster management is central to NEMA’s determination to achieving success. And this is also attainable by using the Vanguard to spread campaign networks to people at the grassroots through continuous sensitization to promote individual understanding and participation on disaster management efforts.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for reinforcement on details and accurate information on environment hazards; as hand this can be achieved by creating and spreading early warning alert on disasters risk reduction given from time to time by NEMA.

Jimoh Abubakar is a Youth Corps Member in Abuja.
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Disaster Management, Disaster management, disaster risks reduction, NEMA, NEMA space technology, NEMA-NYSC, space technology

STILL ON SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

Jimoh Abubakar

In the last past four decades, crises and natural hazards such as floods, fires, oil spills, gully erosion, landslides, epidemics have caused major loss of human lives, livelihoods and destructions to the national economic, social infrastructures and environment. Consequently, disaster risks reduction becomes an issue that must be considered to achieve timely and sustainable national developmental agenda and resolve socio-economic, environmental and humanitarian degradations.

Working towards the full achievement of its mandates, the National Emergency Management (NEMA) has resolved to avert both human and natural disasters and save thousands of lives and property through the use of modern equipment globally known as “Space Technology”.

Meanwhile, it has been observed in Space Technology and the World Conference on Disaster Reduction (2005) that planning for the integration of the global system in space disaster management, there is a need for the effective integration of the global system into space disaster management which can only be achieved through favourable international cooperation, effective earth observation, workable space-based service, communication and worldwide satellite coverage.

It is not a doubt that the adoption of space technology in disaster management will be a remarkable development to the country that will pave way for the effectively exploitation of the ongoing strategies in disaster management across the advanced economies and anticipatory contributing positively towards the achievement of the vision 20:20:20 objectives.

Nigeria has a lot to benefit from the proposing space technology since if skillfully manned will help not only in the timely control of disasters, but also supports better preparedness, response and recovery of information that can help to ensure speedy process of disaster management across the country; just as it has been successfully initiated over the years in advanced nations such Netherland, Germany, Beijing, China, Iran, Roman, South Africa, United states among others as a useful tool for monitoring and taking proactive measures against disasters.

Couple with number of natural disasters that trouble the nation annually, the technology will be used to detect and send early alert to disaster prone areas such as floods in Ibadan, Lagos and Sokoto states; desertification and droughts in Yobe, Jigawa, Borno state; landslides in Anambra and Enugu states. Thus saves thousands of lives and billions of naira property yearly consumed by naturally disasters in the country.

In this case, to make this a workable objective NEMA has decided to intensify its ongoing partnerships with international community such as United Nations (UN), United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), International Charter Space and Major Disasters (ICSMD), United Nations Geographic Information Working Group (UNGIWG), Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities (IMOSA) and Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to facilitate efficient disaster preparedness and response systems within relevant communities in the country.

These collaborations will provide an opportunity for NEMA to bring together decision-makers and experts from the space technology and disaster management communities, international scientific organizations, educational institutions with the intention of sharing with Nigeria, their best practices and to bring their knowledge, technologies and logistic assessment for risk and disaster management, humanitarian aid and emergency response. Thus enabling NEMA and the policy makers to logistically plan ahead for the material and human resources needed to effectively combat disasters.

Apart from this, the use of earth observation equipment mentioned above will help to obtain synoptic viewing, aerial photograph and physical survey of future disasters and population concerned will be rapidly informed about the occurrence and risks of the disasters in their domains. Through this, the NEMA will be able to map predicted dangers, evaluate the subsequent ones and enhance standard practices of its staff to cater for the exact needs in a distress situation and render necessary support to save more lives and property.

Besides, the proposed device in alliance with the existing NEMA-Military Scheme titled “Operation Ceto-Maza” will help in crises management using the “Riskframe” software application specially designed for risk and crisis management by the French. With this software application, NEMA can monitor its anticipated Call Centres across the country using cartography database. The essence of this is to draw an initial intervention plan, visualize the crises situation on the map as well as determine in advance the resources needed to be deployed to the zones.

In this case, the NEMA will ensure each crisis management centre is equipped with the necessary transmission and information systems; as it has been successfully implemented in France through its crisis management system at the National Disaster Management Centre in Jakarta, Padang and Banda Aceh. By so doing, the development will help in reduction or total elimination regular socio-economic losses emanate from the crisis prone areas such as Plateau, Borno, and Kaduna through prompt intervention of the operation Ceto-Maza with the aid of the Space device.

Jimoh Abubakar is NYSC Member in Abuja.
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Disaster Management, Disaster management, Disasters Risks reduction, NEMA partners, NEMA space technology, Sani-Sidi

DISASTER: NEMA’s NEW APPROACH TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

DG NEMA, Alh. Sani-Sidi

BY: Jimoh Abubakar

Recently, the Director General of the National Emergency Management (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi declared that emergency management in the country would take a new phase as his agency is ready to embark on tireless effort to ensure safety of lives and property of the people across the country.
He made mention as part of the agency’s new style toward combating disasters in the country, the provision of Free Emergency Call Service, establishment of Emergency Call Centres across the country, the NEMA-Military collaboration titled “Operation Ceto-Maza” to deal with disaster issues in the country.

It is no more news that Nigeria in recent time has been faced with both human and natural disasters which have inflicted on the people economic, social and psychological damage. It would be recalled that there were some avoidable disasters that have claimed thousands of lives and property worth billions of Naira which could have been averted possibly through the widespread of the mobile phone in the country.

The post election massacre of some Nation Youth Corps Service (NYSC) members in some states, for instance, where some Corps members were stranded as a result inaccessibility to quick Emergency Service in their places of primary assignment.

The high cost of telecommunication couple with the poverty level among the people could restrict them from calling on necessary emergency services set up by the NEMA against disasters in the country. However, this was not achievable as a result of inaccessibility to Free Emergency Call Service to the people. For instance, Australia has for long set up proactive measures against disasters by put in place Free Call Service with simple code number. This reported to have helped to avert both human individual participation towards emergency management in the country.

Creating Emergency Call Centres across the country will be a sign of relief and welcome development not only in tackling the intensifying insecurity, but also will save the nation from socio-economic and political losses arising from such natural disasters as flood, landslides, fire accident.

The establishment of the Free Emergency Call Service as promised by the NEMA if effective manned will enable people contact relevant response agencies during distress period. The service will help in the prompt notification of fires, road accidents, building collapses, epidemics, floods, landslides among other emergencies.

Nigeria can also structure this newly emerged service like that of the Emergency Call Centres instituted by the Czech Republic which has been seen as basic human rights and thereby effectively utilized by its citizens in protection of lives, health and property. Through this process, the Fire & Rescue Service of the Czech Republic was distinguished among other Europe and awarded for providing technical solution towards emergency calls service by European Emergency Number Association (EENA) in February 2009.

Emergency Call Centres can also help to prevent or reduce the risks involved in natural disasters such as flood, landslides among others. For instance, the recent flood disasters in Ibadan has claimed over a hundred lives, just as that of Lagos state has left over 2,000 people displaced, while Sokoto floods has swept away 13 local governments resulting to the lost of several lives and property. However, many lives would have been prevented with the formation of Emergency Call Centres as it was successfully exploited by Japan in its just concluded flood incident caused by earthquake and Tsunami.

The collaboration between the NEMA and Military operations will help to combat the ongoing communal crisis across the country. In Plateau state, about 1000 people were killed in communal crisis in the year 2010; the 2011 post-election violence in northern Nigeria has resulted to the death of over 800 lives and destruction of property worth billions of naira. Definitely, these awful accounts would have called for the NEMA ongoing partnership with the military operation across the country to devise a new way of undertaking communal crisis in the country.

Jimoh Abubakar
NYSC Member writes from
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Abuja.
abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Filed under: Disaster Management, Disaster call centre, Disaster management, Disaster risks, NEMA, Operation Ceto-Maza, Sani-Sidi