Sir,
Activities have begun in earnest to welcome William Jefferson Clinton, the President of the United States of America on an epoch making trip to Nigeria.
The visit, which will be from August 25 to 27 is expected to impact positively on the political, economic and social landscape of
Nigeria and put us in the sharp focus of the world media's attention.
Afterall President Clinton's visit to Ghana a few years back, in company of American investors resulted in a near doubling of the value of the Ghanian Stock Market.
We are already receiving visits by American security agents and the press as we prepare to mount the world's stage. However, all the
expected dividend may amount to nought if the authorities do nothing about the 3 week old spectacle on Eko Bridge, beside NEPA's coal-fired
power station. It is the body of a person crushed and plastered to the concrete, weathered by the elements, the stench and gory sight taken in by all and sundry on the way into the nation's commercial capital, former political capital and "Centre of Excellence". A brave observer once exclaimed "E be like say dem don commot the head O!"
This body, let us call it "Tanmedo", was still there at midday Sunday 23rd of July, 2000. Tanmedo is a demonstration of the failure of
government in Nigeria at all levels. This route is plied daily by governors, ministers, police chiefs, legislators civil servants, labour
union officials but which one of them really cares. We will probably go through a finger pointing exercise, shifting the blame. Who is to blame?
The USUAL SUSPECTS are:
- Disgruntled elements
- Saboteurs
- Enemies of democracy
- Sharia Governors
- OPC
- Retired military officers
- Fuel subsidy
- North-South dichotomy and
- "The unknown soldier".
Then switch to the arguments for the solution:
- Confederacy
- Re-incarnation of Tai Solarin
- Increased taxes
- Power-shift
- 13% derivation
- An indigenous coach for the Super Eagles
- A new national anthem or currency?
The real answers are government is responsible and they have to be alive to their duties.
It is no wonder that foreign embassies treat our people with such contempt. The sight is gory, unacceptable, and everyone in Government
should feel ashamed. I feel scandalized, dehumanised and very ordinary.
Thankfully, my children are now on holiday, I therefore do not need to explain to them that Tanmedo has been asleep for 3 weeks and is alive but in pieces!
For too long a high percentage of our resources has been cornered by government which gives no value in return. This explains why
goverment's spending is inflationary, and results in the depreciation of the Naira.
We have seen from Enron, that electricity can be produced at a much cheaper cost utilizing hitherto flared gas even on an ad-hoc basis, it is no longer neccessary to waste money refurbishing plants that NEPA will ruin. At no cost, we can invite telepone companies to provide enough lines for the entire nation. The poor man's lot will be improved but, the situation still remains the same, nobody cares.
Street lights don't work, schools can hardly be described as such and poverty is being aggravated. Where are we being led to? The path of
righteousness or the valley of the shadow of death?
Our "Rulers" should please take the remains of Citizen Tanmedo, and give it as best a burial as they can and apologise to the public for their negligence.
Naija must sweet again!
Bolade Oyebolu
Lagos, Nigeria
July 24, 2000
Guides
