A visit to the United Kingdom or any of the more-advanced countries, will expose one to a tremendous level of technological advancement; and a defined structure to facilitate infrastructural development and management.
A characteristic the Nigerian government needs, if any meaningful development is anticipated. Blessed with natural and human resources, favorable climate, beautiful landscapes, interesting sites among others, the bane of the most populous black nation is mismanagement which owes largely to corruption. These natural resources, if managed properly could propel the country from its current 'periphery' state, to a more developed country like Dubai. As against the status-Que.
Over the years, government-officials and stake holders visit western countries for vacations, education, health, work-shops, most of which bothers on: "how to move the nation forward". I can not help but wonder what viable developmental-strategies was learned from these seminars, aside cadeaux for themselves, families and friends; while the nation remains in shambles. This article will explore ways in which we can perhaps borrow some best-practices on how to develop, manage and sustain existing infrastructures.
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| London, United Kingdom |
Roads: The roads in the United Kingdom are narrow compared to that of Nigeria, however, what interests me, is the near-absence of gridlocks. The secret, the U.K has good road networks, which are adequately maintained. There appear to be less argument between stakeholders on whose responsibility it is to construct and maintain the road-networks.
This situation contrasts the Nigerian state, where the federal and state governments engage on recurrent squabbles on whose jurisdiction certain road-networks falls on. Before you knew it, we have spent years debating on should construct or maintain the roads, while the situation worsens. Come-on, as long as revenue is generated through taxes and allocations, the construction and maintenance of road-networks should not be compromised.
Below are comparative pictures of the traffic situations on expressways in the UK and in Lagos.
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Lekki Express-way: Daily Traffic situation of Lagos roads
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| Iyana-Oba: Lagos Badagry express way, supposedly an 'M' road. |
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Ijora - Lagos, Nigeria
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| London, United kingdom |
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| Lincolnshire, United Kingdom |
Energy: The need for sustainable renewable energy can not be over-flogged. This is because energy is required for almost every activity, be it commercial or for individual use. Despite Nigeria's Electricity Regulation's claim on their website, which states that: "The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has undergone fundamental changes over the past few years with the implementation of the government's reform programme reputed to be one of the most ambitious privatisation exercises in the global power industry with a transaction cost of over three billion dollars ($3.0bn)".
It is no longer news that electricity supply is regrettably heart-rendering. This has forced many businesses to shut-down and has regrettably, discouraged foreign-investors from establishing significant ventures in the country.
As against it's electoral promises, the Nigerian government's inability to provide constant electricity supplies remains a mystery. The knowledge that Energy is key in economic development is no rocket-science, yet it is a sector that has failed woefully in delivering its promises to Nigerians. From past to present administrations, with reported zillions of the nation's money swallowed up in perfidious projects.
On the other-hand, the United Kingdom has been able to sustain the provision of constant electricity supplies to its citizens for decades, for electricity and transportation, through the generation of renewable-energy. This is evident in the numerous renewable energy masts positioned strategically across the state. For all I know, it's time the Nigerian government follows suit through increased investment in renewable energy, as a support to the Gas and Dam energy generation.
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A renewable Energy mast in UK
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Electricity supplies cables haphazardly placed around Chisco Bus-Stop, Lekki, Lagos |
Transportation: In the Nigerian case, a Ministry, whose vision is: "To build a secure world-class transportation system", through "Providing a safe, secure, efficient, affordable and seamless inter-modal transport system that is self-sustaining and pivotal to the socio-economic growth in line with best practice". In the actual sense, contradicts its vision.
For instance, most reliable transport companies are private-owned. There are a few newly commissioned state-owned trains, however, their popularity and trust-worthiness cannot be guaranteed. Juxtaposed with the London underground railways, the oldest in the world, with its upgraded Victoria, Northern and Jubilee lines, has greatly affected movements. This cannot be said of Nigeria's city or inter-state rail transportation.
Unarguably one of the most populous cities around the globe, Lagos, and other major cities can borrow a thing or two from the London railway management. They could start with the provision of reliable and well-maintained fleets of air-conditioned trains nation-wide. This might encourage more train usage and greatly reduce the impasse experienced on our roads on a daily basis.
Other forms of transportation that needs to be salvaged is the Aviation and the commercial vehicles. For example, how many government owned commercial planes and vehicles are out there. The Nigerian-Airways has become a 'once-upon-a-time' tale.
The only area where Nigeria can boast of efficiency in aviation and road transportation, is in the private sector. This is evident in the growing number of private owned commercial planes and buses, which plies inter-states, the west-African routes and in the case of aviation, as far as other parts of Africa and Europe. It is important to note that these companies have survived so far because of their doggedness. Imagine operating a commercial airline or road transportation in a system that has tried all possible means to frustrate entrepreneurs, through obnoxious and unfavorable business rules and regulations.
To achieve its vision of being among the best global practices, pivotal to socioeconomic growth, the Ministry of Transportation needs to put in place a functional, well-maintained and closely monitored Aviation, Road-networks, Rail networks and Water-ways transportation across the country. This will not only boost the nation's development efforts, but bring about the anticipated socioeconomic growth in line with best practices.
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| Train transportation (above) and motor-ways (below) in Istanbul, Turkey |
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Commercial Train at the Oshodi terminal, Lagos, Nigeria
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Train Platform, Leicester, U.K
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| Under-ground train terminal, London, U.K |
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| A popular bus terminal at CMS, Lagos |
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| Train track, alongside motor-way, Sheffield, U.K |
Greening: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals states: "Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow".
Deforestation of rain-forests was some years back, identified as one of the major causes of climate change. Forestation on the other hand supports climate balance and is an active player in the carbon cycle. This is because forestation covers the biodiversity, improve the ecosystem and support subsistence.
Little wonder the United Kingdom, like most developed nations, is keen on greening. As a nation that depends on wood and energy-generated heats to keep warm during the unavoidable cold-seasons, strategic tree planting across Europe is paramount. Put it this way: replace what is used, so you can have more to use in the future. Unfortunately, the above mentioned refutes the Nigerian condition, where the mentality is more of what the Igbos would say: "Ori ka o' gwu". Let's finish it and expect miracles in the future.
How did we get to this point! History and traits revealed that Black Africans built and controlled Empires. This could only have been achieved through planning, supported with expertise in the prevalent technologies of the time, and of course, sustainability measures.
Today, instead of Greening to bolster climate condition, every single space in our cities is converted to an enterprise hub. We risk our future just to make ends meet. Local authorities use touts to let out every single space on major roads, bus stops and street corners, without government authorization.
So much so, that there is hardly any space for commuters and pedestrians, while designated shopping areas and complexes are scantily occupied due to high rentals and levies.
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| Planned Forestry, along London - Leicester 'M' road, U.K |
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| Ilaje bus-stop, Ajah, lekki Peninsula axis of Lagos state |
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| Lagos Island |
How much of what we use as individuals, as a nation, do we give back for sustainability sake.
Obianuju Mbanusi writes.
