Another £500 Million Wasted on Africa.......
Discussion
So, the UK economy is falling to s
t and there's an announcement of a £500 million aid package to Nigeria over the next 6 years - it's not like their not sitting on 20 times the oil reserves of the UK North Sea or anything, and we're still spunking cash away on them...... 
Even the Nigerians in my office are shaking their heads at this amount of cash that will simply disappear into private pockets....!!!
Britain Unveils N105b Projects For Nigeria : (G) FP: Britain has unfolded a six-year development agenda worth N105 billion for Nigeria. A breakdown of the figure shows that £100 million (N21 billion) will be used to aid development targets, £350 million (N73.5 billion) for comprehensive health scheme and £50 million (N10.5 billion) to fight the malaria scourge. Despite this largesse, Britain insists that sustainable development in the economic and political spheres can be realised if Nigerians are more inward-looking. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bob Dewar, who spoke on United Kingdom (UK)-Nigeria relations with The Guardian in Abuja, stated that attention to the details in the electoral reforms package expected to be presented as an executive bill to the National Assembly and a genuine implementation of its recommendations for future elections could get Nigeria on the starting block of development again. Dewar said the performance of the Nigerian courts and the credibility of agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could facilitate the return of stolen public money now in British banks.
t and there's an announcement of a £500 million aid package to Nigeria over the next 6 years - it's not like their not sitting on 20 times the oil reserves of the UK North Sea or anything, and we're still spunking cash away on them...... Even the Nigerians in my office are shaking their heads at this amount of cash that will simply disappear into private pockets....!!!Britain Unveils N105b Projects For Nigeria : (G) FP: Britain has unfolded a six-year development agenda worth N105 billion for Nigeria. A breakdown of the figure shows that £100 million (N21 billion) will be used to aid development targets, £350 million (N73.5 billion) for comprehensive health scheme and £50 million (N10.5 billion) to fight the malaria scourge. Despite this largesse, Britain insists that sustainable development in the economic and political spheres can be realised if Nigerians are more inward-looking. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bob Dewar, who spoke on United Kingdom (UK)-Nigeria relations with The Guardian in Abuja, stated that attention to the details in the electoral reforms package expected to be presented as an executive bill to the National Assembly and a genuine implementation of its recommendations for future elections could get Nigeria on the starting block of development again. Dewar said the performance of the Nigerian courts and the credibility of agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could facilitate the return of stolen public money now in British banks.
Quick google: http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article04//ind...
So we give them cash in exchange for electoral reform?
When will we learn to stop tinkering, and get our own house in order? (spending the cash and reforming our corrupt electoral system!)
So we give them cash in exchange for electoral reform?
When will we learn to stop tinkering, and get our own house in order? (spending the cash and reforming our corrupt electoral system!)
Edited by Gazboy on Tuesday 3rd February 18:53
I was surprised to hear on R4 recently someone making the precise point that Africa has now had a trillion dollars in aid, mostly from the West - and to what end? I really do believe that you could take the entire wealth of the West and hurl it into Africa and very little would change. That may be 'off message' in these days of trans-continental philanthropy, but then that's where you usually find the truth.
VxDuncan said:
Lot's by recent posts...
Anyhow's I think you answered your own question.
West Africa sits on millions of barrels of oil. Our companies are exploiting that oil. We are giving money to Nigeria to keep the happy. Wonder why that is...
Anyone know how much tax Shell paid in the last year?Anyhow's I think you answered your own question.
West Africa sits on millions of barrels of oil. Our companies are exploiting that oil. We are giving money to Nigeria to keep the happy. Wonder why that is...
Simpo Two said:
I was surprised to hear on R4 recently someone making the precise point that Africa has now had a trillion dollars in aid, mostly from the West - and to what end? I really do believe that you could take the entire wealth of the West and hurl it into Africa and very little would change. That may be 'off message' in these days of trans-continental philanthropy, but then that's where you usually find the truth.
Didn't we write off £30 million of debt to one African nation and the following day the president bought a new £34 million jet.Another off message point. A child dies every 6 seconds in Africa. However, they never seem to run out. We are probably tackling the wrong problem then.
Parrot of Doom said:
What makes you assume that this money is being 'given' away?
And who the fk are 'Nigerian News Network'? Why not quote the story from a reliable source?
FFS.
FFS?? The source is reliable. The Guardian newspaper in Nigeria is one of the best and politically independant newspapers down here.... It's easy to dismiss the culture here as being of the 'mud-hut' variety, but this is a large sophisticated city of 14 million, a telecomms hub and one of the largest container ports on the continent. Also the base for most international oil companies here employing many thousands.And who the f
k are 'Nigerian News Network'? Why not quote the story from a reliable source?FFS.
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 3rd February 15:37
Even my Nigerian colleagues think teh momey os being 'given away' - there's absolutley no accountability.
Do we/oil companies pay the Nigerians for the oil obtained?
If so, isn't that called business rather than exploitation?
I have no real problems with giving aid to poorer nations, but I do question how that aid is given, when I see certain African leaders in large palaces with private jets, and shopping in Paris etc..
If so, isn't that called business rather than exploitation?
I have no real problems with giving aid to poorer nations, but I do question how that aid is given, when I see certain African leaders in large palaces with private jets, and shopping in Paris etc..
jshell said:
Parrot of Doom said:
What makes you assume that this money is being 'given' away?
And who the fk are 'Nigerian News Network'? Why not quote the story from a reliable source?
FFS.
FFS?? The source is reliable. The Guardian newspaper in Nigeria is one of the best and politically independant newspapers down here.... It's easy to dismiss the culture here as being of the 'mud-hut' variety, but this is a large sophisticated city of 14 million, a telecomms hub and one of the largest container ports on the continent. Also the base for most international oil companies here employing many thousands.And who the f
k are 'Nigerian News Network'? Why not quote the story from a reliable source?FFS.
Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 3rd February 15:37
Even my Nigerian colleagues think teh momey os being 'given away' - there's absolutley no accountability.
However, the text was identical in both documents.
This one always winds me up.
A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
Uncle Fester said:
This one always winds me up.
A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
They must have something we want surely?A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
Uncle Fester said:
This one always winds me up.
A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
Having spent the last 6 years in Nigeria (mostly) I cannot endorse the above post enough - except to say that they've achieved a level of so-called 'democracy' now, but it just means the money flows into non-military pockets....A few years ago, a relative of mine (now sadly deceased) was hired by the ruling Nigerian General's to assist in 'stashing' the 'run money'.
From working with them, my relative formed the opinion that the culture and mentality of these people is totally different to our own.
They think of dishonesty, lying, corruption and theft as normal, prudent and even admirable qualities in a person.
The Nigerian General's naturally presume that others will attempt to oust them with popular support.
Therefore it is (in their opinion and by their standard's) proper that they stash as much of the Nigerian national wealth away overseas for their personal use after they're ousted.
This was where my relative came in. They were purchasing real estate in London.
This was being rented out and the proceeds were transferred to offshore account's.
There were a great many such transactions. Not small stuff either. Entire apartment blocks. Some of the most desirable addresses in London.
Some of you may be familiar with a few nice Crescent's off the North side of the Euston Road. Some are entirely Nigerian owned behind the front companies.
Now, there is enough salted away already to sort all Nigerian problems except one.
The endemic culture of corruption.
What concern's me is that it's unlikely our government is ignorant of this.
So why do they continue to extract taxes from us in order to support corruption in Nigeria?
I can only be thankful that corruption is foreign to our Noble government.
Local people have told me that they are a 'Big Man' in the communities and tribes if they can relieve anyone of their own goods and cash by whatever nefarious means. Lying, stealing, cheating are not thought of as bad things - it's just a free-for-all with little regulation.
According even to my Nigerian colleagues, if the heads of Govt are removed here, then the replacements will be just as corrupt, negating the effectiveness of any regime changes, ever!
It's an incredibly difficult country to gain access to, any visa issues at all mean seizure and a flight home. They have immigration control we can only dream of in the UK.
And, it's rich. There is money here beyond belief. The average 'decent' area detached house in Lagos is now worth around $5 million. Incredible.
It boils my p!ss that we're spunking away so much tax-payers money on such a rich place that is perfectly capable of looking after themselves....
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff