April 7, 2010
Dear Dr. Goodluck Jonathan: Niger Delta International Initiative (NDII) is using this medium to congratulate you on your position as the Acting President of Nigeria and wishes you a strong courage to address with urgency the challenges ahead of you.
Dear Dr. Goodluck Jonathan: Niger Delta International Initiative (NDII) is using this medium to congratulate you on your position as the Acting President of Nigeria and wishes you a strong courage to address with urgency the challenges ahead of you.
NDII has written many articles stating the numerous problems confronting the masses and the nation, which requires your urgent attention. Mr. Acting President you have to be focus, aggressive and act fast because the Nigerian masses are stressed to the limit due to poverty and under-development. These pressing multifarious problems are challenges for you and your administration. It is a golden opportunity for you to be the President or Acting President of Nigeria. It’s an avenue for you to shine and make history not only in Nigeria but internationally if you can sincerely address these pressing problems confronting the masses and the nation. Prove to the world Mr. Acting President that Nigeria is governable and not drifting towards a failed state. Specifically, the problems in Nigeria are political crisis including electoral reform: lack of implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais report, the religious crisis, the Niger Delta crisis, and lack of the Rule of Law, social and economic under-developments. Mr. Acting President, Sir, as a matter of urgency please set the necessary machinery in motion to make the people happy by initiating programs that will provide them with basic needs of life that they so much desired.
One of the solutions to Nigeria problems, NDII believes require a practical approach in infrastructural development (development in education, energy, transportation, roads, railways, waterways, housing, healthcare, information technology, water supply, agriculture, financial institutions including micro financing, etc.) or by practically addressing the Seven-Point Agenda initiated at the beginning of this political dispensation.
Mr. Acting President, the nation needs infrastructural development in all sectors, which will promote safety and security, social and economic development and create jobs, especially for the youths. The effect of high rate of unemployment has been linked to armed robberies, kidnappings, sabotaging pipelines and other social vices in the nation. Most of the culprits are the unemployed youths.
As a way forward to actualize social and economic developments in the nation, NDII suggests to you Mr. Acting President to initiate National Public Works Program (NPWP) (a Federal Government Program) to create employment for millions of Nigerian that are without work. The program should cover renovation/rehabilitation of hospitals, schools, recreation centers, parks, construction of new housing in rural and urban cities and the renovation of old ones, railroads, highways, rural roads, streets, waterways, irrigation, dredging, reclamation, and rehabilitation of erosion and oil degraded sites, environment and sanitation control in rural and urban cities, etc. This Federal Government Program should be in collaboration with the Local Governments, States Governments and industries in Nigeria, especially the big corporations through their respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offices. The big corporations in Nigeria are required to actively participate in this program so that their businesses embrace responsibility for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees and communities. Furthermore, the big corporations business would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community growth and development.
NDII suggests that Mr. Acting President through the Attorney-General of the Federation call to order the 36 Governors and 774 local Government chairmen with regard to their mal-administration and financial recklessness over the state and council resources. The 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments should judiciously apply their resources to projects and programs for sustainable development in the Local Government areas and the States, respectively. Social and economic development cannot be achieved in the nation without the Local Governments and the States Government taking active part in the national developmental goals. The nation cannot achieve tangible development, if the 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments are not committed to their responsibilities, the Federal Government cannot develop the nation alone. The above setbacks are created due to lack of accountability in the nation. Today, more than 60% of Nigerian wealth is illegally in foreign nations and in the hands of the past and present government officials. The nation can’t socially and economically develop if the trend continues.
Mr. Acting President, the high poverty and illiteracy level in the nation are promoting the insecurity in the society. The issue of safety and security should be address in line with promotion of literacy and awareness among adults and children, especially, those in the Northern part of the Nation. Education of our children should be made free and compulsory up to secondary school level. The recent massacre in Jos could be partially attributed to backwardness, mass illiteracy and lawlessness in our society, lack of effective communication, and the inefficiency of the law enforcement agencies in discharging their duties.
Mr. Acting President, we know you cannot resolve all these multifarious problems for the period of time you are there. However, NDII wishes to suggest to you and your leadership work selflessly and relentlessly in order to reduce the poverty level among the masses by making use of the high quality human resources at home and abroad. Sir, if it requires you to go across party line to get these hardworking individuals in order to achieve your goal in moving the nation forward, please do so. These individuals are required in all key positions in the nation from the banking sector to the judiciary, the law enforcement agencies, Local Governments, States Government and the Federal Government. It is time for Nigerian leadership and stakeholders to promote the appointment of competent hands to decision making positions based on merit and not the appointment of incompetent mediocres brought by Godfathers. Additionally, Nigerians must change their attitude to the country because of the poor work ethics that now characterize the work force in the nation. Based on the creative and dynamic people that we are, the general state of despair must give way to one of hope and the self belief that we can build a great nation. It should be noted that the change we want, the change we desire and the change we must have must begin with each and every one of us making a conscious and committed effort to make Nigeria a better nation.
Mr. Acting President, in order to achieve your goals, please do away with sycophants and avoid recycling of senior citizens in your administration. At the end of the day, sycophants will criticize and condemn you. Please Mr. Acting President, do not recycle senior citizens because there are many vibrant and hardworking Nigerians that are more than willing to work with you. This is 21st century and Nigerians expect 21st century results, which are not attainable from the recycled senior citizens. Additionally, Mr. Acting President, do not allow your subordinates to dictate for you or intimidate you, especially, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, the Governors, the Traditional leaders or the previous Head of States and Leaders. You are in charge and the overall boss, be firm, focus and decisive in your stands. Sir, do what is right to move the nation forward and reduce the poverty level among the masses.
As noted, the problem in Nigeria is exacerbated by poor and corrupt leadership from banking sector, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, Local Governments, States Government and to the Federal Government. This problem can be resolved by addressing the lack of the Rule of Law, which breeds excessive corruption, and corruption creates poor leadership and performance, lack of accountability and fiscal irresponsibility, poverty and unemployment, low economic productivity, marginalization and neglect among others. Sir, initiate a National Legal Reform Programs. NDII believes that the promotion of the rule of law is the most effective long-term antidote to the most pressing problems facing Nigeria today, including poverty, Niger Delta crisis, ethnic and religious violence, endemic corruption and disregard for human rights.
Mr. Acting President, Nigeria needs effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. Up-to-date, the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies are non-functional. Effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies will lead to develop, livable and safe society. Nigeria would develop only when the issue of corruption has been seriously tackled, and this required effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. To this end, NDII highly suggests that the Federal Government seek external assistance from Britain and the United States of America in training and restructuring the judiciary, the police department, the road safety department, the customs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The retraining of the law enforcement agencies at the least will reduce police brutality and jungle justice on defenseless citizens as seen in the religious crisis in Maiduguri. The revitalization of the Rule of Law is required to address the abuse of power by high ranking government officials including the Governors, the ministers, the commissioners, local government chairmen, etc. and reduce excessive corruption, which are now a culture/the way of life in the nation. Please Mr. Acting President, either dissolve EFCC or restructure the agency. For now, EFCC is a child’s play and a joke, so also is Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). There are many scapegoats and many sacred cows in the nation, the agencies are not fair and they are bias. We can’t win the war on corruption if the trend continues.
Mr. Acting President, the resolution of the religious crisis requires strong involvement from all stakeholders concern. The resolution of the crisis will come through good preaching instead of preaching hatred in the Mosques and Churches. The resolution will also come through mass education and awareness; especially the youths in the northern part of the nation. Additionally, religious crisis in the north can be resolved when the religious leaders and politicians sponsoring these evil activities are identified and brought to book.
Mr. Acting President, the crisis in the Niger Delta region requires strong involvement from all stakeholders concern (local and international companies, Local Governments, States Government and Federal Government). The resolution of the crisis will come through implementation of the Niger Delta Master Plan, and through mass education and awareness. Enough of seminars and conferences on Niger Delta crisis, it is time for practical approach to the crisis, which requires immediate implementation of projects and past recommendations in the area. The lack of implementation of the past ideas and recommendations are major obstacles in developing the area, and it’s due to the caliber of individuals in decision making positions assigned to the area.
Sir, the resolution to the Niger Delta crisis and the economic development of the region requires discipline, sacrifices and strong commitment from the decision makers in the Local Governments, States Government, the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it requires urgency (a speedy and simultaneous process of development), priority settings with timeline or deadline for completion, goals setting (short-term goals, mid-term goals, and long-term goals), it requires fairness from the stakeholders, it requires large scale capacity building, it requires accountability from the leaders, it requires peace in the region (youths have to shun violence, kidnapping, hostage taking and sabotaging pipelines), it requires the rule of Law, and it requires cooperation of the locals.
Additionally, Mr. Acting President, the crisis in the Niger Delta region can be resolved when the local chiefs and politicians sponsoring these evil activities in the region are identified and brought to book. Economic and social development does not thrive under violence.
Nigeria should elect and appoint credible individuals to leadership positions. Some individuals in decision making positions or leadership positions are under-qualified, incompetent and they lack substance. Economic productivity cannot be achieved if the best candidates are denied appointments for less qualified persons on account of their religion, regions or tribe. The issues of giving priority to Godfathers should be checked in order to advantageously utilize our quality human resources outlet. Mr. Acting President, electoral reform and implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais report and the immediate restructuring of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is required to achieve these goals. This will effect the election of credible individuals to leadership positions and prevent the mediocres from achieving their selfish goals. Prevention is better than cure. As such, Nigerians need transformational leaders with the capacity, commitment and courage to drive the essential reforms required to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable social and economic developments.
Stable energy supply is the key to development, especially in manufacturing industries and other related industries, healthcare systems and educational systems. Stable energy supply is a motivation for investment and will promote job creation, at the same time reduce crime rate. Today, the nation has no stable energy supply. Mr. Acting President, NDII observes that Nigeria is proposing nuclear energy for her power supply. The proposal is a great and giant idea because nuclear energy produces huge amount of electricity. However, if as a nation, we cannot manage the hydroelectric dams, the refineries, the coal plants and the railway system, etc. in the country, how do we manage a nuclear plant? Nigeria is not in a position to manage nuclear energy plant because of the high safety risk involved and based on the nation’s history of poor management of projects. As noted, nuclear plant is more detail and complex than refineries and hydroelectric dams, and requires skilled professionals. A meltdown at a nuclear plant could be catastrophic, and handling the radioactive waste is another problem. The accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl should not be forgotten, as summarized below. Let us learn by example and not through the hard way.
“The Three Mile Island accident was a partial core meltdown in Unit 2; a pressurized water reactor of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania near Harrisburg, USA. It was the most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power generating industry, resulting in the release of up to 481 PBq (13 million curies) of radioactive gases of the particularly dangerous iodine-131. The accident began at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 1979, with failures in the non-nuclear secondary system, followed by a stuck-open pilot-operated relief valve (PORV) in the primary system, which allowed large amounts of reactor coolant to escape. The mechanical failures were compounded by the initial failure of plant operators to recognize the situation as a loss of coolant accident due to inadequate training and human factors”.
“The accidents at Chernobyl, on the 26th of April 1986 shortly after midnight, at 1:23 GMT, there occurred near the Ukrainian town of Chornobyl a tremendous explosion at a huge nuclear power plant, followed by a gradual meltdown of the reactor No. 4. Chornobyl is situated 80 miles north-west of Kiev, the ancient capital of Ukraine and the Soviet Union’s third largest city. It was by far the worst nuclear reactor accident ever, which immediately sent a radioactive cloud across neighboring Byelorussia, Poland and the Baltic Republics towards Scandinavia. Within days, borne by shifting winds, radioactive mists wafted beyond Soviet borders and spread across most of Europe causing anxiety, apprehension and fear. The most badly affected were the Republics of Ukraine and Byelorussia. They suffered large scale involuntary irradiation, due to extensive secrecy, and great economic damage. Furthermore, the contaminated air mass passed over large areas of Poland and also over parts of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia and a number of West European countries. Till now the land is abandoned, thousands of houses, thousands acres of the land, everything is now stays almost the same as it was 24 years ago”.
Sir, the risks of Nigeria going nuclear as a source of electricity may outweigh the benefits unless we address the issues of giving priority to Godfathers, tribe, region and religion in appointment to key professional positions and correct our past mistakes in management of projects.
Mr. Acting President, Coal is the major source of electricity in many western nations. The problem with coal is its effect on global warming, which give nuclear energy an advantage. Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases from plant operations as opposed to coal, oil and natural gas. NDII suggests that Nigeria invest in solar, wind, hydropower, fuel cell energy (Bloom Box Energy) and other renewable energy sources for the national energy future. Alternatively, Nigerian should invest in fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) as a source of energy as long as we control the methane and carbon dioxide that are generated in order to promote Green Technology.
Mr. Acting President, most projects (the hydroelectric dams, the refineries, the coal plants and the railway system, the iron and steel industry, etc.) in Nigeria fail due to poor human resource planning and management. Sir, appropriate corrections are required to achieve good management practices in the nation.
Conclusively, Mr. Acting President, although, these problems are numerous they are not insurmountable. However, these problems, which include social development, economic development, peace, safety and security in the nation cannot be achieved if corruption, greed, nepotism, religious and tribal sentiments prevail over national, state and community interests.
NDII challenges the leadership of Mr. Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian stakeholders to be focus and act fast in addressing the nation’s problems for the interest of masses and the Nation at large. Mr. Acting President, majority of Nigerians if not all Nigerians and international communities are in your support. Mr. Acting President, NDII encourages you to be aggressive, act fast, be firm and take decisive actions, and let your performance speak for you come 2011. Sir, the ball is in your court.
Good Luck and Remain Blessed,
/Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha/
Dr. Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha.
NDII has written many articles stating the numerous problems confronting the masses and the nation, which requires your urgent attention. Mr. Acting President you have to be focus, aggressive and act fast because the Nigerian masses are stressed to the limit due to poverty and under-development. These pressing multifarious problems are challenges for you and your administration. It is a golden opportunity for you to be the President or Acting President of Nigeria. It’s an avenue for you to shine and make history not only in Nigeria but internationally if you can sincerely address these pressing problems confronting the masses and the nation. Prove to the world Mr. Acting President that Nigeria is governable and not drifting towards a failed state. Specifically, the problems in Nigeria are political crisis including electoral reform: lack of implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais report, the religious crisis, the Niger Delta crisis, and lack of the Rule of Law, social and economic under-developments. Mr. Acting President, Sir, as a matter of urgency please set the necessary machinery in motion to make the people happy by initiating programs that will provide them with basic needs of life that they so much desired.
One of the solutions to Nigeria problems, NDII believes require a practical approach in infrastructural development (development in education, energy, transportation, roads, railways, waterways, housing, healthcare, information technology, water supply, agriculture, financial institutions including micro financing, etc.) or by practically addressing the Seven-Point Agenda initiated at the beginning of this political dispensation.
Mr. Acting President, the nation needs infrastructural development in all sectors, which will promote safety and security, social and economic development and create jobs, especially for the youths. The effect of high rate of unemployment has been linked to armed robberies, kidnappings, sabotaging pipelines and other social vices in the nation. Most of the culprits are the unemployed youths.
As a way forward to actualize social and economic developments in the nation, NDII suggests to you Mr. Acting President to initiate National Public Works Program (NPWP) (a Federal Government Program) to create employment for millions of Nigerian that are without work. The program should cover renovation/rehabilitation of hospitals, schools, recreation centers, parks, construction of new housing in rural and urban cities and the renovation of old ones, railroads, highways, rural roads, streets, waterways, irrigation, dredging, reclamation, and rehabilitation of erosion and oil degraded sites, environment and sanitation control in rural and urban cities, etc. This Federal Government Program should be in collaboration with the Local Governments, States Governments and industries in Nigeria, especially the big corporations through their respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offices. The big corporations in Nigeria are required to actively participate in this program so that their businesses embrace responsibility for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees and communities. Furthermore, the big corporations business would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community growth and development.
NDII suggests that Mr. Acting President through the Attorney-General of the Federation call to order the 36 Governors and 774 local Government chairmen with regard to their mal-administration and financial recklessness over the state and council resources. The 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments should judiciously apply their resources to projects and programs for sustainable development in the Local Government areas and the States, respectively. Social and economic development cannot be achieved in the nation without the Local Governments and the States Government taking active part in the national developmental goals. The nation cannot achieve tangible development, if the 774 Local Governments and the 36 State Governments are not committed to their responsibilities, the Federal Government cannot develop the nation alone. The above setbacks are created due to lack of accountability in the nation. Today, more than 60% of Nigerian wealth is illegally in foreign nations and in the hands of the past and present government officials. The nation can’t socially and economically develop if the trend continues.
Mr. Acting President, the high poverty and illiteracy level in the nation are promoting the insecurity in the society. The issue of safety and security should be address in line with promotion of literacy and awareness among adults and children, especially, those in the Northern part of the Nation. Education of our children should be made free and compulsory up to secondary school level. The recent massacre in Jos could be partially attributed to backwardness, mass illiteracy and lawlessness in our society, lack of effective communication, and the inefficiency of the law enforcement agencies in discharging their duties.
Mr. Acting President, we know you cannot resolve all these multifarious problems for the period of time you are there. However, NDII wishes to suggest to you and your leadership work selflessly and relentlessly in order to reduce the poverty level among the masses by making use of the high quality human resources at home and abroad. Sir, if it requires you to go across party line to get these hardworking individuals in order to achieve your goal in moving the nation forward, please do so. These individuals are required in all key positions in the nation from the banking sector to the judiciary, the law enforcement agencies, Local Governments, States Government and the Federal Government. It is time for Nigerian leadership and stakeholders to promote the appointment of competent hands to decision making positions based on merit and not the appointment of incompetent mediocres brought by Godfathers. Additionally, Nigerians must change their attitude to the country because of the poor work ethics that now characterize the work force in the nation. Based on the creative and dynamic people that we are, the general state of despair must give way to one of hope and the self belief that we can build a great nation. It should be noted that the change we want, the change we desire and the change we must have must begin with each and every one of us making a conscious and committed effort to make Nigeria a better nation.
Mr. Acting President, in order to achieve your goals, please do away with sycophants and avoid recycling of senior citizens in your administration. At the end of the day, sycophants will criticize and condemn you. Please Mr. Acting President, do not recycle senior citizens because there are many vibrant and hardworking Nigerians that are more than willing to work with you. This is 21st century and Nigerians expect 21st century results, which are not attainable from the recycled senior citizens. Additionally, Mr. Acting President, do not allow your subordinates to dictate for you or intimidate you, especially, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, the Governors, the Traditional leaders or the previous Head of States and Leaders. You are in charge and the overall boss, be firm, focus and decisive in your stands. Sir, do what is right to move the nation forward and reduce the poverty level among the masses.
As noted, the problem in Nigeria is exacerbated by poor and corrupt leadership from banking sector, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, Local Governments, States Government and to the Federal Government. This problem can be resolved by addressing the lack of the Rule of Law, which breeds excessive corruption, and corruption creates poor leadership and performance, lack of accountability and fiscal irresponsibility, poverty and unemployment, low economic productivity, marginalization and neglect among others. Sir, initiate a National Legal Reform Programs. NDII believes that the promotion of the rule of law is the most effective long-term antidote to the most pressing problems facing Nigeria today, including poverty, Niger Delta crisis, ethnic and religious violence, endemic corruption and disregard for human rights.
Mr. Acting President, Nigeria needs effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. Up-to-date, the judiciary and the law enforcement agencies are non-functional. Effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies will lead to develop, livable and safe society. Nigeria would develop only when the issue of corruption has been seriously tackled, and this required effective judiciary and effective law enforcement agencies. To this end, NDII highly suggests that the Federal Government seek external assistance from Britain and the United States of America in training and restructuring the judiciary, the police department, the road safety department, the customs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). The retraining of the law enforcement agencies at the least will reduce police brutality and jungle justice on defenseless citizens as seen in the religious crisis in Maiduguri. The revitalization of the Rule of Law is required to address the abuse of power by high ranking government officials including the Governors, the ministers, the commissioners, local government chairmen, etc. and reduce excessive corruption, which are now a culture/the way of life in the nation. Please Mr. Acting President, either dissolve EFCC or restructure the agency. For now, EFCC is a child’s play and a joke, so also is Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). There are many scapegoats and many sacred cows in the nation, the agencies are not fair and they are bias. We can’t win the war on corruption if the trend continues.
Mr. Acting President, the resolution of the religious crisis requires strong involvement from all stakeholders concern. The resolution of the crisis will come through good preaching instead of preaching hatred in the Mosques and Churches. The resolution will also come through mass education and awareness; especially the youths in the northern part of the nation. Additionally, religious crisis in the north can be resolved when the religious leaders and politicians sponsoring these evil activities are identified and brought to book.
Mr. Acting President, the crisis in the Niger Delta region requires strong involvement from all stakeholders concern (local and international companies, Local Governments, States Government and Federal Government). The resolution of the crisis will come through implementation of the Niger Delta Master Plan, and through mass education and awareness. Enough of seminars and conferences on Niger Delta crisis, it is time for practical approach to the crisis, which requires immediate implementation of projects and past recommendations in the area. The lack of implementation of the past ideas and recommendations are major obstacles in developing the area, and it’s due to the caliber of individuals in decision making positions assigned to the area.
Sir, the resolution to the Niger Delta crisis and the economic development of the region requires discipline, sacrifices and strong commitment from the decision makers in the Local Governments, States Government, the Niger Delta Ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it requires urgency (a speedy and simultaneous process of development), priority settings with timeline or deadline for completion, goals setting (short-term goals, mid-term goals, and long-term goals), it requires fairness from the stakeholders, it requires large scale capacity building, it requires accountability from the leaders, it requires peace in the region (youths have to shun violence, kidnapping, hostage taking and sabotaging pipelines), it requires the rule of Law, and it requires cooperation of the locals.
Additionally, Mr. Acting President, the crisis in the Niger Delta region can be resolved when the local chiefs and politicians sponsoring these evil activities in the region are identified and brought to book. Economic and social development does not thrive under violence.
Nigeria should elect and appoint credible individuals to leadership positions. Some individuals in decision making positions or leadership positions are under-qualified, incompetent and they lack substance. Economic productivity cannot be achieved if the best candidates are denied appointments for less qualified persons on account of their religion, regions or tribe. The issues of giving priority to Godfathers should be checked in order to advantageously utilize our quality human resources outlet. Mr. Acting President, electoral reform and implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais report and the immediate restructuring of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is required to achieve these goals. This will effect the election of credible individuals to leadership positions and prevent the mediocres from achieving their selfish goals. Prevention is better than cure. As such, Nigerians need transformational leaders with the capacity, commitment and courage to drive the essential reforms required to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable social and economic developments.
Stable energy supply is the key to development, especially in manufacturing industries and other related industries, healthcare systems and educational systems. Stable energy supply is a motivation for investment and will promote job creation, at the same time reduce crime rate. Today, the nation has no stable energy supply. Mr. Acting President, NDII observes that Nigeria is proposing nuclear energy for her power supply. The proposal is a great and giant idea because nuclear energy produces huge amount of electricity. However, if as a nation, we cannot manage the hydroelectric dams, the refineries, the coal plants and the railway system, etc. in the country, how do we manage a nuclear plant? Nigeria is not in a position to manage nuclear energy plant because of the high safety risk involved and based on the nation’s history of poor management of projects. As noted, nuclear plant is more detail and complex than refineries and hydroelectric dams, and requires skilled professionals. A meltdown at a nuclear plant could be catastrophic, and handling the radioactive waste is another problem. The accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl should not be forgotten, as summarized below. Let us learn by example and not through the hard way.
“The Three Mile Island accident was a partial core meltdown in Unit 2; a pressurized water reactor of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania near Harrisburg, USA. It was the most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power generating industry, resulting in the release of up to 481 PBq (13 million curies) of radioactive gases of the particularly dangerous iodine-131. The accident began at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 1979, with failures in the non-nuclear secondary system, followed by a stuck-open pilot-operated relief valve (PORV) in the primary system, which allowed large amounts of reactor coolant to escape. The mechanical failures were compounded by the initial failure of plant operators to recognize the situation as a loss of coolant accident due to inadequate training and human factors”.
“The accidents at Chernobyl, on the 26th of April 1986 shortly after midnight, at 1:23 GMT, there occurred near the Ukrainian town of Chornobyl a tremendous explosion at a huge nuclear power plant, followed by a gradual meltdown of the reactor No. 4. Chornobyl is situated 80 miles north-west of Kiev, the ancient capital of Ukraine and the Soviet Union’s third largest city. It was by far the worst nuclear reactor accident ever, which immediately sent a radioactive cloud across neighboring Byelorussia, Poland and the Baltic Republics towards Scandinavia. Within days, borne by shifting winds, radioactive mists wafted beyond Soviet borders and spread across most of Europe causing anxiety, apprehension and fear. The most badly affected were the Republics of Ukraine and Byelorussia. They suffered large scale involuntary irradiation, due to extensive secrecy, and great economic damage. Furthermore, the contaminated air mass passed over large areas of Poland and also over parts of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia and a number of West European countries. Till now the land is abandoned, thousands of houses, thousands acres of the land, everything is now stays almost the same as it was 24 years ago”.
Sir, the risks of Nigeria going nuclear as a source of electricity may outweigh the benefits unless we address the issues of giving priority to Godfathers, tribe, region and religion in appointment to key professional positions and correct our past mistakes in management of projects.
Mr. Acting President, Coal is the major source of electricity in many western nations. The problem with coal is its effect on global warming, which give nuclear energy an advantage. Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases from plant operations as opposed to coal, oil and natural gas. NDII suggests that Nigeria invest in solar, wind, hydropower, fuel cell energy (Bloom Box Energy) and other renewable energy sources for the national energy future. Alternatively, Nigerian should invest in fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) as a source of energy as long as we control the methane and carbon dioxide that are generated in order to promote Green Technology.
Mr. Acting President, most projects (the hydroelectric dams, the refineries, the coal plants and the railway system, the iron and steel industry, etc.) in Nigeria fail due to poor human resource planning and management. Sir, appropriate corrections are required to achieve good management practices in the nation.
Conclusively, Mr. Acting President, although, these problems are numerous they are not insurmountable. However, these problems, which include social development, economic development, peace, safety and security in the nation cannot be achieved if corruption, greed, nepotism, religious and tribal sentiments prevail over national, state and community interests.
NDII challenges the leadership of Mr. Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Nigerian stakeholders to be focus and act fast in addressing the nation’s problems for the interest of masses and the Nation at large. Mr. Acting President, majority of Nigerians if not all Nigerians and international communities are in your support. Mr. Acting President, NDII encourages you to be aggressive, act fast, be firm and take decisive actions, and let your performance speak for you come 2011. Sir, the ball is in your court.
Good Luck and Remain Blessed,
/Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha/
Dr. Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha.
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