IT IS NOT YET UHURU: PRESIDENT BUHARI GOES TO CHINA FOR STANDARD GUAGE RAIL LINES CONSTRUCTION!
IT IS NOT YET UHURU: PRESIDENT BUHARI GOES TO CHINA FOR STANDARD GUAGE RAIL LINES CONSTRUCTION!
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
April 7, 2016.
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Nigeria cannot afford to send a delegation for a deal (or an offer) that could hardly be found anywhere in the world! The government of China has offered to pay 70% of the cost of standard gauge rail construction in Nigerian. “You cannot get any deal fairer than this anywhere in the world”-President Buhari said.
The Peoples Republic of China has since offered to pay 70% of the cost of building standard “Gauge Rail-lines” that would link all parts of Nigeria with railway lines. The project when executed will provide “over 250,000 direct jobs” to Nigerians during the life period of the project. More so, about “500,000 indirect jobs” will be crated if the deal is renegotiated and finally sealed. Upon the completion of the project, transportation will be very cheap. Agricultural activities, mining, commerce, trade, tourism, and industrialization etc., will be developed. The initial offer by the Chinese government was given during the last administration which they could not meet up with the only 30% of cost required to be paid by the then government.
Some Nigerians who do not know what “Foreign Policy” or “International Relations” is all about have named the president as “YAWALE” (perambulator) and some called him “WAKAWAKA”. They have been complaining that the president travels too often! I don’t think at 73 years the president travels for “Pleasure” or “leisure”. In my view, the president has put to shame those who said he is not healthy enough to be president. It is usual with any new and serious government to travel and bring investors to their country. Commonsense suggests that if a governor or president attends a ceremony he attaches more importance to it than going to somewhere else as such makes every word of his serious.
However, it is very germane to note that, the government of China has over $40billion waiting for countries to access at a very low cost in order to develop their infrastructure. China is willing to make the funds available at about 0.5% Interest rate with 20 years moratorium which is to be paid in 40 years.
It is true that Nigerians are suffering, but however, Nigerians should note that it is easier to destroy a House than to rebuild it even by the “Bill-gates” of this world!
The government of China last year in South Africa during the China –Africa Summit has pledged to make $60billion available to Africans for developmental projects. Nigeria as the most populous country in the continent needs to strategically pursue those funds for the benefits of its people.
China is among the major buyers of Nigerian crude oil; however, it is logical for us to maintain that relationship especially against the backdrop of “oil Glut”. Many countries have discovered crude oil as such the market is very competitive; any serious country will try to protect its market share even with the low crude price. Nigerian will want to have more Quantity of its crude oil sold to China.
We need China to help us process our huge deposits of “Uranium” in order to generate electricity. China charges 5% for any Agricultural product entering its country; Nigeria will want a situation whereby the “Tariff” will be reduced to a very cheaper rate thereby making it easier for our farmers to export to China.
Professionalism must be respected! As a student of foreign policy I know too very well that we have a lot of authorities in Nigeria in the field of foreign policy or International Relations; such as: Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former foreign affairs minister to president Buhari; Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, IBB’s foreign affairs minister; Dr Tom Ikimi, former minister of foreign affairs to late General Sani Abacha; Dr Ojo Maduke, former foreign affairs minister to President Obasanjo; Ambassador Aminu Wali, former foreign affairs minister to President Jonathan; Paul Izaah , my teacher ,a Professor of International Relations, ABU ,Zaria; Sale Dauda a Professor of International Relations,University of Abuja; Professor Bola A. Akinterinwa, Director General Nigerian institute of International affairs, Lagos etc. They are all alive. They are the people who should know in this field! Some of whom are PDP members! What are they saying about the foreign trips?
May God assist our leaders to deliver!