INSECURITY IN NIGERIA: EXPOSING A FAULT LINE THAT RUNS DEEP !

Searching for patrols on Nigeria highways? The Nigerian Army is now a common sight! And they most times do so under diverse nomenclatures, such as JTF (Joint Task Force), STF (Special Task Force) and other Operational moniker labels most times with Mobile Police Units. While this may seem plausible in our contemporary world where Armies are now being trained to fight a new style of warfare in urban settings, a critical look into the Nigerian security situation shows that of adverse degradation setting into irredeemable heights by conventional security means!

An Army check point along Rabah road,Kaduna
Source: http://news.naij.com/5986.html

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By tradition, the Police Force and its allied intelligence service is tasked with maintaining internal security, whilst the Army sets its sight at wading off external aggression of all sorts. Between these two forces are several governmental agencies whose activities helps keep the society sane; such as the Customs and border agencies. Whilst these forces are independent standalone agencies, their activities are to work in tandem, ensuring concomitant actions against any threat to the Country’s stability from internal and external sources.

The Nigerian scenario sets a different tune with many gaping loopholes of which is now being exploited by several security assailants such as armed robbers, kidnappers, marauders and ethno-religious militants. Most recently the issue of ethno-religious militancy (sporadic incidents confined to Northern Nigeria) has degenerated into a sustained guerrilla  insurgency both in the North as Boko Haram and in the South as factional agitated armed groups (though both scenarios have different ideological motives). Whatever the nomenclature assigned to these security assailants, the fact remains that gaping holes in the security apparatus have been exploited to plunder by these bandits.

PATHS TO DECLINE

During the first republic (1960-1966), the Country operated a semi autonomous regional style of government. Each region wielded considerable control over governance administration and instruments of governance and they had their own police forces. Neglecting the inadequacies of that period to the excuse of the fact the Nation was just fresh from independence; the security modus operandi was much better than what obtains today.

Then came the Military governments and civil war! One of the resultants of the civil war aftermath was that automated weaponry fell into wrong hands and armed robberies became rampant such as was not experienced during the pre-civil war era. Aside this, the advent of the Military into the Nigerian Political cosmos changed the modus operandi of governance. The four regions was divided into variegated ‘states’ and  most (if not all) instruments of governance was vested on a strengthen Central (Federal) Government. One of such was Policing which was now put under Federal control.

With peculiar divides along religious and cultural lines, security assailants (aside armed robbers) tend to exploit cracks along the National fabric to foment trouble, and such was made manifest in several ethno religious riots in cities above the Niger River. The Kano riots, Kaduna riots, Jos riots being major examples aside the Maitatsine revolt of the 1980’s.

Another disturbing trend peering through the gaping hole of the Nigerian internal security apparatus is the lack of respect for the men of the police force. Over time, the Nigeria Police force has been beset by unwholesome corrupt practices which have made it loose credence in the sight of the populace. As such, not even the mention or threat of the Police commands any form of respect or instill fear among ordinary civilians not to talk of Security assailants---robbers, thieves, looters, rioters…name them!

BRIDGING THE SECURITY LOOPS

Over the years, experience and evidence has shown that the Federal administered Police force is incapable of effectively policing the country due to the following:

*       Inadequate personel: Comprising of about 370,000 men, the Nigeria Police Force is expected to guarantee the security of over 160,000,000 citizens. This ratios 1Police man to about 400 Citizens!. Worst still, a considerable number of Police men are assigned as Security details to Politicians and their aides. This cumulatively leaves about 200,000 Policemen to the entire civilian citizenry. Thus effectively leave 1 policeman to 800 civilians! Nigeria is under policed. To police a nation as large as Nigeria, the Police force has to be at least a million man strong!

*       Lack of Local Government Control: In the spirit of Unitary Federalism, Past Military Governments removed the Police from local to Federal control. As such, members of the Nigeria Police force can be drafted to serve in part of the country. Experience has shown that there is a need for indigent county Policing as respective Nigerian State Governors are acknowledged as ‘Chief Security Officers’ of their domain. They are however handicapped in carrying out this function as all security apparatus are Federally administered. One then wonders why these governors are handed monthly security allowances called ‘security votes’ when they do not actually control the police force in their respective states.

*       Coordinated Collaboration of Security agencies: Another awkward trend within Nigeria’s security apparatus is the lack of collaboration among the security forces. Rather, it is no strange news to hear of some ranks of the Army fighting the Police, Police fighting the Customs, Navy fighting the Police and so on. This usually occurs when law enforcers become law breakers and in a bid to cover up misdeeds, members of the force to which the offender belongs calls for mobilization from comrades to fight the law enforcing authority. This trend clearly shows a lack of collaborative intelligence among the forces because if it does exist, such would never happen.

In modern crime and warfare combat, all forces work as one body and must share intelligence to achieve any tangible success. But when the Army sees the police as an incompetent rival then gaping holes abound within the security apparatus

*       LACK of National data base: Despite huge budgetary allocations to security issues, it’s saddening that the Nigerian Government is not as a matter of urgency accelerating the collation and establishment a National Data base of all citizens. At a time when all that pertains to humanity is now digitized, Nigeria’s records has to go digital. This will go a long way in tracking security assailants especially with the advent of DNA, facial, speech and finger print technology. Sadly, there is no sign that the Police Force is prepared for this task. A day to day interaction with the majority foot soldiers of the police force shows that of a derelict knowledge and grasp of modern day technological trends. Some do not even know how to operate computers let alone surf the internet. If this is the prevalent trend, how can the Police effectively fight modern day crime when it has shifted from life action to cyber action?

*       Poor Policing equipment: Derelict police vehicles are a common sight on Nigerian roads and High way road blocks. Most police posts especially those outside major cities are just sham buildings. Little wonder they provide soft targets for upcoming security assailants. The policing strategy is not up to date with modern day realities. Lacking CCTV’s and high caliber intelligence equipments, the Police results to gun totting and bullying to assert their authority over the civilian populace.

Police-Station-in-Igangan-Osun-State-Nigeria
Source:http://www.indepthnigeria.com/headlines/nigeria-police-stations-a-dpo-shocking-confession-on-what-goes-on-behind-the-scene/

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/breaking-news-20-feared-dead-as-gunmen-sacks-police-station-prison-in-adamawa/

*       Porous influx of light and heavy firearms: It’s no news that Nigeria has very porous borders. However, most disheartening is the influx of firearms of different sorts some of which evade the border patrols. Aside the threat of guns, security assailants can now handle fire light mortar shells—a non-conventional domestic weapon fit for warfare. Wherever these are sourced from (either from illegal importation or from armory theft), the trend doesn’t portend a sound combat fortune for the Police force!

A typical BOKO HARAM militancy photoshot. Note the RPGs

A typical Niger Delta Militancy Photoshot.. Note the sophisticated assault weaponry 

For all apparent reasons, the Federal Government should hands off policing for local authorities whilst it does maintain a National police or ‘super paramilitary force’ (National Guard) for special tasks defying conventional policing tactics. Maybe the current National Civil Defence Force could be upgraded to this. This will relieve the military of civil peace keeping duities.

The current security realities do not pose a good trend for the Nigerian Society. The apparent impotence of the Police force to nip the security challenges in the bud shows an endemic failure in of the Country’s security stratagem.

Most shambolic is the deployment of the Armed forces to douse security tensions. It must be noted that the Army was never trained to mingle and keep peace with civilians. Their duty is to make peace by killing. Although the trend of modern day warfare due to guerilla insurgent tactics requires the army acquainting themselves with Urban warfare, for the Army to now be customarily called upon to maintain day to day security and man check points show a great decadence in the National Policing apparatus. As such, these inadequacies are readily deployed against the Police as seen in bank and domestic robberies, ethno-religious riots, Kidnappings, Marauding, Militancy and Insurgency.

Operation Flush!
Source: http://www.ynaija.com/win-n260m-promo-jtf-releases-lists-of-most-wanted-boko-haram-leaders-offers-n290-million-reward-for-information/

This magnifies the situation in the North East especially Borno State where all governmental efforts to nip the insurgency are proving abortive despite a state of emergency; denoting more security errors than the apparent and obvious. 

Until wholelistic measures are taken to reposition the collaborative efforts of the National internal and external security apparatus, robbers, rioters, miscreants and insurgents will continue to have a swell time plundering the peace and tranquility of the Nigerian society.

MAN O MANDELA: HIS LEGACIES!

“I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience...

...During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people...

...I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” 

Born Rolihlahla Mandela in Mveso, Transkei, South Africa 18^th July 1918 and fondly called Madiba and Tata; he is popularly known as Nelson Mandela.

This personality has increasingly held the world in frenzious awe since the latter half of the 20^th century up until his recent demise. In deed and in death, his memory is enmeshed in notorious fame whose embers will blaze a continual trail for generations unending to refer and learn.

Away from the troubled past incited by the governance misdemeanours of most of Africa’s independence leaders - who wittingly threw the tantrums into the post independence political cosmos of their countries. Thus, plunging Africa  to that continent laden with coup d’etats, civil wars, debt, ethnic upheavals, infrastructural decay and underdevelopment. Nelson Mandela’s legacies from the anti-apartheid struggle to the post apartheid era South Africa, leaves a sterling example in what is meant of exemplary quality leadership.

Driven and motivated by the passion of what he believed ought to be, he sought freedom and equity for all races in South Africa and never for once balked at his desire even when he was President of South Africa from the dominant race that has once been sore oppressed.

In life and in death, Mandela is ever eulogized as a beacon of morality in leadership, and his influence is always evoked at the slightest opportunity when needed - as seen recently in South Africa’s world cup bid success.

Amidst the adulatory eulogies showered the memory of Mandela, it is important to note and learn from the deeds of Mandela. Viz;

v  His ardent and fervent determination in the face of crushing opposition to his ideology and movement. Instead, his resolve increased and remained stronger than ever. Though sentenced to life imprisonment and destined to die, he said:

“Prison itself is a tremendous education in the need for patience and perseverance. It is above all a test of one’s commitment.” 

 

While in prison, he wrote his famous biography- Long walk to freedom (while not yet free) and above all, he bagged a long sought law degree amid providing a formidable leadership to his fellow prisoners while in prison.

v  He had a clear sense of his ideology and its ideals. Himself being an African Nationalist, he became fully absorbed into democratic socialism as he began his long term romance with politics in the ANC and governance in South Africa. Though during his struggles, he had alliances with western maligned communism and some absolute leaders in Gaddafi which made him being labelled as a terrorist by western governments. His clear ideological drive overtime won the hearts and minds of all those who once evil branded him as seen in eulogies poured out at his demise. This is a far cry from the inept ideological tendencies dominating the African political cosmos today. This has reduced politics and governance to a trivial ground for scores settling, unideologically driven cross carpeting, and money bag governance in most African Countries.

v  Even when at the helm of affairs as South Africa’s President, he distributed governing powers. His deputy, Thabo Mbeki concentrated on domestic issues while Mandela concentrated on foreign matters; and amid the cheers, he quit when the ovation was loudest after one term in office. This is a far cry from the bad exemplary governance of previous Africa independence leaders before him who turned their countries to one party states; and most had to be dislodged by coup d’etats, civil upheavals and sometimes bloody civil wars whose scars still lace the Africa political cosmos till this day. It is however sad to note that the governing ANC seems to be diverting from the exemplary ideals of Mandela leadership legacies

v  He loved his country to a fault. He never sought to leave or retire abroad; as such, he never had some foreign holdings of loots stashed abroad. No wonder he died at home. Some other African leaders would have retired/sought medical treatment abroad, died abroad and be flown home on demise.

v  He never had a stable family life. From three marriages (two ending in divorce), his personal life sometimes cast a shadow on his glorious credentials. His first marriage broke due to his wife’s irreconcilable ideology with his as she left him before he returned from one of his numerous incarcerations. Unable to forgive his adulterous  long term wife and companion, one may hold that moment with thoughtful grief as they barely had five years together (though spent in transit in and out of prison) before his eternal 27yr incarceration which could have had testing moments in the life of young Winnie. Some say he forgave his oppressors but couldn’t forgive his wife! In that he showed his mortal side in the face of secular knight ship and sainthood.

“I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days.”

In life and in death, Nelson Mandela remained an embodiment of political pietism and in that; he attained the status of a secular saint.

Whilst basking in the euphoria of having a man worthy of historical reference from Africa, it is most important for all who care to reminisce his memory to think and practice his deeds. Maybe such could be called Mandelasm (no calls for a political movement though)!

Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way.” 

“I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered"---

RIP Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (18/7/1918- 5/12/2013)

SOUTH SUDAN: The PANGS OF NATIONHOOD!

Joyous scenes in Juba heralding the Independence of South Sudan on 9th July 2011
Source:BBCNEWS

On the morn of 9^th July 2011, Mother Africa went through the throes of natality and South Sudan was born! Joyous crowds greeted that day in Juba, Bor, Rumbeck and Wau. Much joy was found from the Upper Nile, Jonglei; East, West and Central Equatorial States, all of which will now make up the world’s newest country.

It has been a long bloody journey to independence. From the initial independence of the Sudan in 1956, the peoples of the South of Sudan had fought a war against domination and Arabization. Dubbed Africa’s longest contiguous/running civil war, a truce/peace deal was signed in 1972 giving a break from the Anya Nya rebellion that had began about 1956.

Yet the underlying issues that led to rebellion not being addressed, the South (dark skinned, non-Arab and mostly Christian) culturally and ethnically different from the North; against a governing/dominating Pro-Arab Muslim North, the South in 1983 once again descended into a rebellious conflagration with the government sending John Garang (a Southern army officer) to quell the rebellion.

John Garang

Garang instead allied with the mutinous forces and forged the Sudan’s Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), the armed wing of the Sudan’s Peoples Liberation movement (SPLM); thus launching a full scale second round of rebellion. Beginning in 1983, the war raged amid series of peace moves and finally a Comprehensive Peace Agreement deal was done in 2005, ending 22yrs of war. Under the deal, South Sudan was to be allowed self government for a six year period culminating with a referendum for self determination in the sixth year.

For all the troubles of John Garang, he didn’t live to enjoy the dividends of the peace deal as he died in a plane crash in July 2005; barely 3months after signing the deal. A crack seemed to simmer among the ranks of the SPLA/SPLM. Turning a rebel movement into an active political/governing force over a territory that has only known war, pillage, cattle rustling, marginalization and underdevelopment was no easy deal. The South made up of the Dinka-Ngok, Nuer, Shilluk amongst several other minorities began to simmer in ethnic tensions.

Though evident during the rebellion in the defection Peter Gadet and his militia from the SPLA to the side of the Sudanese government, a power struggle was waiting to happen after the death of charismatic Garang; with the highly educated Riek Machar and militarily vibrant Peter Gadet (both from the Nuer ethnic group) against a less educated military commander in Salva Kiir (from the Dinka ethnic group).

The lines of differences between the actors was bridged before the referendum which ensured independence. Plagued by ineptitude and corruption, the SPLA government made a poor start failing to learn lessons from older independent nations. Peter Gadet once more defected from the SPLM, kick starting a rebellion in the troubled Unity/Jonglei region which was flanked by General George Athor. These differences played into Sudan and barely months after independence, South Sudan and Sudan were at odds. Sudan occupying disputed Abiyei and South Sudan occupying the oil  fields of Heglig (Panthou). The world watched as both sides verbally sabre rattled at each other with President Omar Al-Bashir calling the South Sudanese government ‘Insects’ that must be flushed out.

With both sides struggling to contain internal rebellions, all out conflict was certainly not an option and overtime the conflict seemed to progress by proxy as both governments accused each other of supporting their respective rebel groups. Oil ceased to flow from South Sudan and both governments became cash strapped.

Tensions continued to smolder in South Sudan; defections, discontents culminating in the sack of the entire cabinet by President Salva Kiir. Then came heightened violence referred to as a coup attempt.

Once again, South Sudan is split along the lines of previous rival rebel movement- Peter Gadet and Reik Machar seeming to align against the main stream SPLM lead by Salva Kiir.

For years, these have fought side by side against the government of Khartoum and united by the cause of getting an improved status quo for the Southern Sudanese. Though there have been splinters in the past, upon getting their desired aim, it is up to the power players in South Sudan to make their nation great.

Like most African countries, independence leaders seem united at the onset fighting a common enemy in Colonialism. Upon independence, it has been the custom of most independence leaders to stifle opposition, promote nepotism, ethnic tensions and ultimately cement their places in power by declaring a one party state.

Such has been the pangs and throes of independence in Africa which has relegated most African Countries to third world statuship…. Miles behind the Asian Tigers who started the independence journey with most African Countries.

It is sad to note this trend in South Sudan. Barely 2yrs into independence, the country is embroiled in the same circle of violence familiar with SubSaharan Africa.

A Nation was born in South Sudan; young, ruddy and potent! She must learn from her elders else another failed state in the making! And who says secession is a solution to Africa’s ethnic/cultural mangle?..... see South Sudan!

The Central African Republic—ANOTHER FAILED STATE IN THE MAKING

In the eyes of the International Community, Countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq are readily referred to as failed states (states where the central government cannot exercise effective control/governance beyond the walls of the seat of government). However, to this unwholesome list, several countries do in a sense compete for notified positions on the list! One of such countries is the Central African Republic- A landlocked country located at the heart of Central African, it is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

Map of The CAR
Source:http://www.mapsofworld.com/central-african-republic/

The throes of the CAR can be traced to the have begun with the first coup d’etat in that country by army commander, Jean-Bedel Bokassa in 1965. In the face of economic turmoil, he stirred the country to through a tyrannical part defined by adept kleptomaniacism. He was ultimately ousted in a coup in 1979 and a circle of coups, civil discontent and unrests ravaged the country in successive trends since then.

A defining moment to the current abject crumble into a failed state began when President Ange-Felix Patasse sacked the army chief, General Francois Bozize in 2001 after accusations of his involvement in a coup d’etat. Ever since then, the story of the CAR turmoil has been woven around these two main actors backed by foreign armed groups which includes the armed forces of Chad, Libya, France, South Africa and Congolese rebel groups.

In a turn of rebellious events, General Francois Bozize stirred a rebellion invading from the North and ultimately pushed Ange-Felix Patasse out power when his forces swept South into Bangui in 2003 despite Libyan backing of CAR’s government forces. Bozize immediately installed himself into power as the head of a newly constituted transitional government and as subsequent plenipotentiary head of government after general elections in 2005.

Plagued by heavy flooding and yet to recover from the humanitarian crises as a result of the Bozize lead rebellion, peace in the CAR faced another torment as fresh rebellion/ banditry attacks resumed in the North of the country led by Abdoulaye Miskine of the People's Democratic Front. The woes of the CAR increased when the Darfur conflict in Sudan spiralled into the CAR. The vast jungles of the CAR provided a haven for refugees and armed groups in the conflict and joining them in their new found home was the Itinerant fugitive Ugandan rebel group in the Lord’s Resistance Army. In the wake of this trend, the CAR also played host to the Ugandan army who claimed to be in pursuit of the fugitive LRA group.

As such, the government of the CAR led by Francois Bozize exercised no real authority over the country save for the capital. Adding to this lax in governance, the CAR was faced with strike actions/protest from various arms of the public work force as the government complained of adept bankruptcy and hence could not meet salary demand. Even as these events raged, another rebel insurrection began and continued intermittently between 2006 and 2011.

And then in 2012, a rebel coalition called Seleka led by  Michel Djotodia who was a loyalist to ex-president Ange-Felix Patasse began to deliver the final blow to the Bozize led regime. Undeterred by peace deals and cabinet offers, the Seleka coalition forced Bozize out of CAR in March 2013 and Michel Djotodia seized power. Not even the firepower of the AU forces led by the South African Army could stop the onslaught though there was alleged Chadian backing to the rebel efforts as the French army secured the country’s main airport.

The elegy of rebellion in the CAR has taken a toll on the country. Though it has numerous natural resources in diamonds, rare earth metals and a lush jungle of rainforest, the government is cash strapped and adeptly bankrupt. The numerous fugitive armed groups roaming the countryside have in their cadre child soldiers as their frontline members.

CAR child soldiers and frontline members of armed groups
Source:http://ow.ly/gxNI2

The central government is effectively powerless to administer the country. Having a ragtag defence force and law enforcement agencies with numerous armed groups (foreign and local) roaming the countryside, the security situation is a no-no.

The activities of these armed groups are having an unwholesome effect on the CAR residents especially in terms of pillage, rape and forced conscription; hence the disbandment and criminalization of the Seleka rebels ironically by its leader, Michel Djotodia. It won’t be surprising if elements of this group begin another full scale rebellion pushing the current president out of power.

The advance of the Seleka rebels into Bangui in March 2013
Source: REUTERS

As the world watches and debate the Arab spring especially in Egypt and Syria, another country is sliding the Somalia way. Failure to nip the malignant CAR crises will result in:

•       A haven for rebel groups who can threaten the peace of Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, DRCongo, Uganda and the wider continent of Africa
•     A field for proliferation of light and heavy weapons
•   Another failed state draining the world in humanitarian and peace keeping initiative
•    Another haven for religious extremist/terrorist cells as seen especially in recent religious incited clashes.

The UN and AU should strengthen their peace resolves in the CAR and save Africa the pain of having another failed State!

THE WHITE ELEPHANT AT TINAPA

The Vision of Tinapa is described as.

...to play a catalytic role in establishing Calabar as a trade and distribution hub in West Africa while at the same time providing a unique tourism experience that will inform the growth and enhancement of the tourism sector in Calabar, Cross River State and Nigeria………..

Of all the tourist attractions in the South-South geopolitical zone, Tinapa has been top of my interest ever since I got to know it from media reports in 2007. In fact, during my undergraduate years, it has been a destination for ‘edutainment tourism’ of several student groups from my school. Neglecting the far-flunged distance from the South West, it has been testified of as a place worth visiting. Having the opportunity to do my national service at neighbouring Akwa Ibom State, I vowed to undertake the edutainment tourist trip to Tinapa and 10^th August 2013 afforded me the opportunity. For the first time in my life, I set foot on Calabar, destination Tinapa!

As a student of Architecture, I was held in awe by the flawless construction detail of the infrastructures, the judicious planning and zoning and in all, the serenity of the environment. However, after touring the site, I couldn’t help being encumbered in thoughts at the dull economic atmosphere of the so-called ‘free-trade zone’. For God’s sake, Tinapa didn’t exist as a natural phenomenon! It is man-made and at that, it must have cost billions of dollars to construct! I wondered why in about six years of its existence/commissioning, it has failed to live up to its bidding. As one who has lived through the hustles and bustles of Lagos, Tinapa should live up to the Lagos standard in terms of commercial activities. A visual negation of this thought made me probe further into the origins of Tinapa.

Commissioned 2^nd April 2007, the Tinapa free trade & resort was built with the intention of combining business and recreational functions with duty free shopping. An intriguing aspect of the Tinapa story is that it was meant to complement the concomitant Calabar Free Trade Zone due South of Tinapa. Built by the Cross River State government under the Donald Duke administration, Tinapa was meant to facilitate international commerce of goods and service devoid of nebulous custom clearance gridlocks. As such, goods (especially for export) alongside retail shopping are meant to sell at Tinapa void of taxes and custom clearance. Just like a free port, it will then attract traders from the international and local markets to ply their trade at Tinapa. As a resultant, one cannot underestimate the economies of scale in terms of support facilities and activities that would emanate from such an economic/commercial hub. And for sure this would help to awaken and standardize the industrial ingenuity of the South Eastern heartlands of Aba, Onitsha, Umuahia and Enugu, as products from these industrial hubs would find a ready international market in Tinapa. Thus, another Chinese Shanghai or HongKong and Middle Eastern Dubai would be right at our door steps at Calabar for Nigerians, West Africans and Africans!

However what did I see at Tinapa?               

•  Commercial dry emporiums thinly laden with goods for sale

Unoccupied shop space

•      Most sales shops unused/unoccupied
•    Closed down studio, cinema and casino

The Tinapa studios (closed down)

•   Commercial dull ancilliary/relaxation facilities like the fisherman/craft village, games arcade etc
• Only the amusement/water park could be said to be fully put to use. However, the revenue could soar gargantuanlly if economic activities peaked at Tinapa

The amusement/relaxation park at Tinapa

Commercial Hubs at Tinapa begging for commercial activity

After these observations, my thoughts followed up with some questions which apparently were maligning the Tinapa dream:

If Tinapa was built with full cooperation of financial instutions, the Cross River State government and the blessing of the Federal government as seen in the commissioning of the project by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, why the lag on the part of the Federal Government in granting/licensing Tinapa in full economic swing?

With the hyper economic/commercial activities at the Lagos Port, and the Oil based export tendencies of ports in the Rivers/Delta axis, Calabar port and Tinapa provides another corridor for the decongestion of the Lagos port, whilst facilitating the rejuvenation of the erudite industrial capabilities of the South East which in turn will boost tourism to spectacular attractions within the zones. For all the potential Tinapa affords, it has been laid at the altar of neglect by the Federal government (since it has the plenipotentiary powers to sanction the operation of Free port zones).

Upon my departure from Tinapa, I pondered on this---

“Tinapa is set to become a world-class integrated business resort. Located on the Calabar River, and contiguous to the Calabar Free Trade Zone (Calabar FTZ), Tinapa is the realisation of an exciting dream - the first integrated business and leisure resort in Nigeria.”

Yes! Tinapa is infrastructurally set but wilfully neglected! For the first time in the 21^st century, Nigeria seemed to have made a stride in pawning on her economic potential and just when it seemed done, the dream seems to be going moribund!

Tinapa wasn’t built for cobwebs and lichens; neither was it built to occupy a vacuum of desolation.

Who then will slay the white elephant at Tinapa to awaken the sleeping economic giant in Nigeria?

.