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Tag: Africa

  • Sustainability: Lafarge Africa positions for next decade

    Sustainability: Lafarge Africa positions for next decade

    Cement manufacturing giant, Lafarge Africa Plc., is positioning itself ahead of competition in the next decade.

    Last week, the firm, with over 50 years of operating in the country, launched its 2030 Plan, aimed at tackling the planet’s biggest issues for the next decade, set new standards and be the leading example of sustainability.

    The plan, the firm explained,  supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and consists four pillars: Climate, Circular Economy, Water & Nature, People and Communities. Each pillar comes with a set of quantitative targets such as reducing emissions, deriving energy from waste and developing initiatives that will impact 75 million people across the world. The theme for the 12-year plan is “Building for tomorrow”.

    Resource scarcity alongside urbanisation, climate change and housing needs are some of the challenges the world faces today, especially in emerging economies like Nigeria. This perhaps explains the position of the firm.

    According to the firm’s Director of Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainable Development, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem,  “at Lafarge, sustainability is a core value and business strategy. It’s part of what we do wherever we operate. Some of world’s biggest challenges like urbanisation, housing and climate change are visible in Nigeria. The 2030 plan is our way of providing sustainable solutions to these challenges within and outside our operations,”she said.

    Similarly, Lafarge Africa Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michel Pucherchos said: “LafargeHolcim, of which we are a subsidiary, is not only the world’s largest building solutions company, but one with a rich history of sustainability. This enables us to adapt quickly and proffer sustainable and innovative solutions in markets like Nigeria, where the growth potential is immense but must be sustained for future generations.”

    Housing and Sustainable Development Director at the University of Lagos, Professor Timothy Nubi, said Lafarge should be applauded for its initiative and effort in sustainability development in the country. This, according to him, is because sustainable development is still at its infancy in Nigeria.

    “Few companies are still doing what we see as significant in this area; majority of firms still see it as oh they are asking us to spend money. Only very few like Lafarge see it as part of their DNA. It is a way of being responsible. Such initiatives give both economic and social benefits to the country and its people,” Nubi explained, adding that what the company has done has led to “an inclusive economic growth”.

    Stakeholders in the industry agreed that the cement maker is threading on a familiar ground in terms of its sustainability agenda. For instance, they explained that the cement maker has either adopted or sponsored sustainable innovations within and outside its operations, one of which is the use of alternative fuel in its operations and the Lafarge National Literacy Competition.

    Ambrose-Medebem explained that as part of its alternative fuel strategy, Lafarge uses local alternative energy sources at its plants across the country. At its Ewekoro plant, for instance, almost half of the energy generated in one of its production kilns comes from palm kernel shaft and shells. Last November, it concluded the fourth literacy competition, an annual competition for only public primary school pupils from across the country. Two pupils from Edo State won this year’s competition.

  • Africa Infrastructure Fund secures $100m loan from AfDB

    Africa Infrastructure Fund secures $100m loan from AfDB

    In a bid to reduce the huge infrastructure financing gap in Sub-Sahara Africa, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved US $100 million to the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a Public Private Partnership (PPP) company, a statement has said .

    It will be recalled that EAIF granted credit facility to   Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Ltd (IEFCL) for  construction of its  new US$1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Port Harcourt, River State.

    Through a US$325-365 million debt raise, EAIF intends to develop the fund’s strategy of growing its loan portfolio over the next 3-5 years and to become a sustainable and concrete alternative to development finance institutions and commercial banks.

    Since its inception, the Fund has played a key role in the infrastructure landscape in Africa, investing in structuring and long-term infrastructure projects to the tune of over US$1.2 billion in about 70 transactions.

  • ISIS threatens U.S. over Jerusalem decision

    ISIS threatens U.S. over Jerusalem decision

    Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ( ISIS )has threatened attacks on U.S. soil in retaliation for the Trump administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

    One of the group’s social media accounts reported on Thursday without much details on one of its accounts on the Telegram instant messaging service titled: “Wait for us” and “ISIS in Manhattan”.

    The group said that it would carry out operations and showed images of New York’s Times Square and what appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

    “We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Afghan. Just you wait.

    “The recognition of your dog ‘Trump’ (sic) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognise explosives as the capital of your country,” it said.

    Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem.

    The disputed city is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and is home to Islam’s third holiest site.

    It has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.

    Read also: UAE urges Arabs, Muslims to unite over U.S decision on Jerusalem

    Islamic State was driven out of its Iraqi and Syrian capitals this year and squeezed into a shrinking pocket of desert straddling the border between the two countries.

    The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare there.

    Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the U.S. over the past two years.

    NAN

  • Nigeria demands restructuring and expansion of UN Security Council

    Nigeria demands restructuring and expansion of UN Security Council

    Nigeria has demanded an immediate restructuring and expansion of the UN Security Council to correct the injustices meted out against Africa in the composition of the prestigious 15-member body.

    Nigeria’s position was delivered by Amb. Babatunde Nurudeen, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS at the UN General Assembly Debate on ‘Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council’.

    The Security Council is UN’s most powerful principal organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to the UN Charter.

    Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, the authorisation of military action and it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

    Nurudeen regretted that 72 years after its formation, Africa continued to be marginalised in the representation on the prestigious body in spite of its ability and capacity.

    He stressed that a reformed Council would entail a restructuring and expansion of its membership to take account of, inter-alia, the increased membership of UN and the need to reflect the interests of all the constituent regions.

    The Nigerian envoy said: “Nigeria and other emerging nations continue to demonstrate the capacity to add value to the work, of all the organs of the United Nations, including the Security Council.

    “For that reason, we must now commit ourselves to accelerating the long-overdue reforms of the Security Council. This will no doubt make the Council more equitable, more inclusive and more effective”.

    Russia, UK, France, China, and U.S. serve as the body’s only five permanent members that can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.

    Nurudeen stressed: “Nigeria believes that a reformed Security Council with expanded permanent membership would benefit from the unique experiences and capacities that regional representatives could bring to bear on its work.

    “Nigeria has always expressed its support for the advancement of the intergovernmental negotiations process in an open, inclusive and transparent manner”.

    The Nigerian envoy re-affirmed Nigeria’s very strong adherence to the Common African Union Position on the entire subject of Security Council reform.

    “That is important in order to correct the historical injustice done to the continent and its continued marginalisation over so many years.

    “For that reason, we wish to underscore the overriding need to ensure that the interests of Africa continue to be advanced and safeguarded.

    “African States have offered a coherent, practical and persuasive blueprint for the Council’s reform.

    “We have come up with a common position, which asserts the right of our continent that has for so long been marginalised, and we recognise the legitimate aspirations of other regions to be fully represented in the Council.

    According to him, the clear objective of the reform process is based on the sovereign equality of all Member States and on the need to adhere to the principles of democratisation and inclusiveness in the UN.

    “It is undoubtedly a worthwhile process. Therefore, we must muster the desired will that can lead to the achievement of a reformed Security Council sooner rather than indefinitely,” Nurudeen said.

    NAN

  • Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, condemned the resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa, saying that the development was worrisome.

    Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Comptroller General of Immigration held at the MITROS Residences in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest  term possible.

    The theme for the conference was : ” Managing Migration and Facilitating Trade and Development in 21st Century Nigeria : NIS’ Perspective”.

    The former president noted that the current development in Africa should be a sober reflection for African leaders.

    He explained that the leaders must feel a sense of regret on what they ought to do, what they had done and what they had not done.

    “I believe that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest language possible and nobody who is involved in it should be excused.

    “What can we do and what must we do? We must ensure that conducive atmosphere is created for genuine exchange of goods and ensure development within our country, sub-region, continent and the world which we live.

    “But then today, migration has a very nasty connotation particularly when you watch the television and you hear the story of thousands of our youths daring to go through the desert.

    “Then after they have embark on such perilous  journeys, some of them are sold as slaves. Slaves in the 21st century, Africans being sold by Africans and maybe to Africans.

    “All of us as leaders must feel a sense of regret and have sober reflection on what we have done or what we have not done to bring this about to our own people, ” he said.

    Obasanjo, charged the men of the NIS  to imbibe the culture of training, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service, saying that all these must not be taken for granted.

    Read also:Politics not about life and death – Obasanjo

    In his address, the Comptroller – General of NIS , Muhammad Babandede, said that the service was committed to safe and regular migration of Nigerian citizens and foreigners.

    He disclosed that the current issue being witnessed  in Libya was not new to the NIS and it had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace.

     

    Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open, also condemned the resurrection of slave trade in Libya, saying that African leaders should rise to condemn the act.

    Amosun charged all the participants at the conference to see the programme as an avenue to brainstorm and come up with practical solutions that would be of benefits to the Nigerians and the country.

    NAN

  • Mugabe not alone in Africa

    Mugabe not alone in Africa

    The world had literally come to a standstill for the two weeks ended on Saturday November 25. It is not a threatened world war or a worldwide political or civic disorder; rather, it is the story of a country tucked in Southern Africa that has held the world hostage for about 15 days. Even the Boko Haram story in Nigeria was demoted to a mere gossip notwithstanding the fact dozens of our country men, women and children were mercilessly slaughtered by these dare-devil extremists.

    Robert Mugabe who had held sway for 37 years and at age 93 has literally bedevilled the world. What is the short story of this enigma? He was a nationalist, suave, daring and committed during the Zimbabwe colonial era. He confronted Ian Smith, the notorious colonial master of Rhodesia. For his guerrilla struggle, he was kept behind bars for 11 years. Relief came in 1980 when Northern Rhodesia became the independent Republic of Zimbabwe and Mugabe appointed prime minister. He did not at first show his fangs until he later converted himself President of the Republic.

    Once adjudged the food basket of Southern Africa with more than 50% of the arable land owned and developed into large plantations by white settlers who have in fact become Zimbabweans, Mugabe’s ruthless land policy soon landed the unfortunate country into food chaos and economic disaster. He probably meant well with his land redistribution policy, but it was executed with vindictiveness and sly that the country soon ran into troubled waters.

    Robert Mugabe, unyielding, self-assured, and always-right, literarily ran the country aground. Moving from one economic and financial chaos to another, the country lost hold of her national currency which in any case has become useless. In all of this, Zimbabweans were reticent, if flabbergasted. Unable to raise a finger, they suffered the agony of a vanishing past.

    The African countries around Zimbabwe looked on and were unable to dialogue with the all-knowing Mugabe.

    Sometimes along the line, he saw himself creating a dynasty with his new wife succeeding him. Even though there is constitutional provision for succession, he ignored this and continued to work and hope to die in office, having nothing to do with resignation or retirement. With all these, the armed forces and the people looked on helplessly.

    With the above, can one conclude that Robert Gabriel Mugabe was a lone-ranger among African leaders? No, he was in good company. Near us in Nigeria, we have Togo where the incumbent president and his father have both spent 50 years on the political throne. The Gambia was recently ruled by a political clown, a sergeant who believed he was destined to be king of a country of less than three million people for life. We have Uganda whose fast talking President took over from Idi-Amin about 25 years ago. Both Idi-Amin the slave dealer and his successor have held Uganda in slavery.

    The story is not different in Angola where freedom fighters graduated into oppressors after the demise of the colonialists.  Liberia under Doe or Taylor is not different from others. Reprieve came to neighbouring Ghana only when J.J. Rawlings lined up eight political leaders and shot them to death. After this, Ghana became a liberal democracy.

    One can see from the above that Robert Mugabe has been in good company all along. The exceptions in African are Lesotho, Nelson Mandela’s South Africa and Nigeria.

    One must continue to ask the question, must African countries undergo this incessant political turmoil before they settle down to civilized governance or must we undergo such violent political surgery as occurred in many countries?

    It must be admitted that both the military and civilian population of Zimbabwe behaved well and out of fashion with the trend with other African countries. The political and professional dexterity displayed by the military is un-African, considering our experience on the continent. For about a week, the military was alleged to have taken over without spilling blood and without social dislocation that go with such practice elsewhere in Africa.

    The military manoeuvred the recalcitrant Mugabe and egged him-on for almost a week before the old man agreed to step down. As of the time of writing this report, Robert Mugabe continued to be a free man without the harassment of the military or the reprisal of the civilian population. Indeed most Zimbabweans are sympathetic to the old fox. Remembering his fight for independence and the land he grabbed from the white population, they seemed to have forgiven him for the atrocities he allegedly perpetrated in his past 37 years in office.

    Africans particularly Nigerians must learn from the behaviour of the Zimbabwean military and civilian population to learn to accommodate each other to enable our country move ahead. Zimbabwe is a lesson in modern political history.

     

    • Chief Fasuan, MON, writes from Ado Ekiti.
  • Inferiority: The African ailment

    Inferiority: The African ailment

    I wonder how long Africa will be plagued by inferiority complex, and fixated to the begging bowl, with all her rich cultural and spiritual heritage? Like the renaissance era of the developed countries, it is high time Africans built Africa.

    Although, one cannot draw objective conclusions about Africa using a small sample size – Nigeria. However, for the purpose of this article, the writer has decided to focus on Nigeria.

    So much for colour!

    The colour black, regardless of how deep and beautiful it can be have been unjustly associated with everything evil.

    In fact, the melanin of the African people is sometimes seen by racists as a weapon of destruction; for as long as you are black, you are automatically consider and adjudged guilty.

    Also, children are still being taught today that almost anything “black” is inherently evil, in fact, to our educators, it is perfectly okay to use the word “black” to describe evil. In accordance with this teaching, “a black person is considered the black sheep of the family, and should be black listed”, in accordance with this teaching, “illegal market is black market (as if only black people do such business).

    Sometimes the environment conditions the African child (in this case, Nigeria) to develop a low self-esteem relative to children in developed countries.

    The minds of the African child have been grossly polluted and destroyed by a powerful force, that powerful force is inferiority complex.

    Let us present a Nigerian medical doctor and an American medical doctor to a sick Nigerian, and ask him to choose the doctor to treat him, most likely he will choose the American doctor. Why? Because he has been educated to believe that white men are superior.

    Even by comparing the leadership style of African and American, one also observes another aspect of lack of self-confidence. Specifically, one notices that while American leaders wisely prioritise their investment options; considering local investments first before foreign investments. On the flip side, African leader squander their countries funds on “corrupt investments” in foreign lands.

    Why? This is because of the miseducation of the Africans minds; African soil is considered an “Unsafe haven” while America is “A safe haven”…what a lack of confidence!

    Bottom line: Polluted African minds accept that by nature, Africans are normal human beings while Americans are extra ordinary.

    No wonder a part of the letter by Lord Macaulay to the British Parliament in 1835 read “…if the Indians think that all that is English and foreign is good and greater than theirs, they will lose their self-esteem, and become what we want them to be – A truly dominated nation.

    Coming down to Nigerian leaders, who rob their own people only to deposit the loot in America and as a result of this, money that could be have been used to make “safe heavens” are being taken out of the county.

    What Nigerians do not know is that the “safe heaven” in America did not come as a result of wishful thinking, but is the direct result of tireless research engineered by true patriotism of its leaders and elites.

    Why can’t Nigerian universities make numerous discoveries? It is a shame that Nigerian universities can’t make razor blades, even water pumps, and yet we have PhD’s above the ground, let’s dream big.

    However, safe heavens will not emerge by miracle when teachers are being starved, library empty, research thoughtlessly abandoned, and universities senselessly shut down for several months each year due to strikes.

    Furthermore, Nigerian leaders and educators must stop using black as a symbol for evil, rather they should start teaching their children that black is beautiful just as any colour.

  • History as Nigeria produces first woman crane operator in Africa

    History as Nigeria produces first woman crane operator in Africa

    Nigeria has made history by producing the first woman mobile harbour crane operator in Africa.

    She is Taiwo Omotayo Oni, who was unveiled in Lagos last Friday.

    She was trained by owners of the Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) which also trained four other women on how to handle Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) cranes at the Lagos and other ports in the world. The others are Adewale Adegoroye, Adeniran Maltid, Tina Onwudiwe and Ajayi Oluwaseun.

    Speaking with The Nation inside the cabin of the harbour crane, TICT Managing Director Mr Etienne Rocher said the women were trained based on the support given them by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman.

    TICT, Rocher said, spent over 75,000 Euros (about N35 million) on the women’s training outside the country. The amount, he said, excluded other logistic during the training.

    Rocher said RTG was a mobile gantry crane used for stacking intermo-dal containers within the staking areas of a container terminal

    NPA, he said, had become the number one port in Africa to train female operators that can handle giant cranes across the globe.

    “They are the first set of women to be trained in heavy duty cranes operation in Africa.

    “What is interesting is that we are able to bring in women operators into our industrial equipment conduct.

    “This is an additional opportunity for women in Nigeria and also a role model within and beyond the continent that women can actually turn into equipment operator in what has traditionally been a man dominated industry.

    “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and Nigeria is also showing the way for women employment into the port industry.

    “So it is setting the pace for others within Nigeria and Africa as well. It is showing that there is a way to show the mind-sets not on gender but on capability merit.

    “Direct training cost was 15,000 Euros for each of them.

    “Our company is committed to investing in the port and making significant contributions to port development in Nigeria,” Rocher said.

    NPA’s Managing Director said she was elated after Oni operated the world-class cranes in full gear of the press.

    The harbour crane which Oni operated at the TICT is about 30 meters above ground.

    High up in her cabin, Oni, who was a former employee of the GT Bank has a view over the Lagos water.

    One of the first advantages of the harbour cranes she operates is that they can stack so many containers. To recover a container stored in the middle of a block, the crane, from where it stands, she will just have to position its handle and remove the container easily.

    From her 30 meter to the ground cabin, Oni also communicates with other operators and the management via a fantastic onboard IT system. She also receives her mission orders in real time on the screen to her left.

    “I always feel happy when I see myself handling this big and giant equipment. I will always be grateful to TICT for investing in me the opportunity of being the first female in Africa to operate a harbour crane. It is  a very big opportunity which I pray other terminal operators in the country will key into to bring more women into the shipping sector.

    “When I use this  huge crane to load and unload, I am always proud of myself and the company that gave me this unique opportunity to tell the world that what a man can do, a woman can do better. Once you put your mind in it, you can do it. So, men should not feel they are the only one that can do the jobs,” Oni said.

    With a sigh of relief and big smile and hand shake with the NPA’ s Managing Director, she turns back to her work while a breeze from the Lagos lagoon cools the air.

    While Oni used the crane in stacking and positioned some 40ft containers inside the terminal,  Usman said her training with four other female RTG operators would eliminate the men dominated venture and urged  women in the country to take up career in the shipping cum maritime business.

    She assure importers and other stakeholders of effective service delivery and promised to make the nation’s seaports world standard.

    Usman said the current management would do all within its powers to ensure that the Lagos ports and all other seaports across the country lived up to expectations of the government, the stakeholders and the business community.

    NPA, she said, is committed to promoting efficiency to ensure keen competition with neighbouring ports.

    Usman said the training of many Nigerians in handling highly technical equipment like cranes, RTGs and automation of the services at the ports was necessary to drive the change needed to reform the sector.

    She said  the deployment of modern equipment and automation would enhance efficiency, decrease waste and save cost.

    The Managing Director, com-mended TICT for the initiative and assured them of their further support.

    “I am happy to see that this is happening after I was appointed as the first female Managing Director of NPA. I will like to see more women being engaged in port operation activities. TICT has done something very impressive with the fact that they have realised the skill and capacity of women.

    “I look forward to seeing more women actively engaged in port operation. I believe Nigeria as the giant of Africa is trail- blazing today by having women operating RTGs so we will continue to lead the pace in Africa.’’

     

  • TICT unveils Africa’s first female harbour crane operators

    TICT unveils Africa’s first female harbour crane operators

    The Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) has trained the first set of female harbour cranes and Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) operators in Africa.

    The Managing Director of TICT, Mr Etienne Rocher, disclosed this at the official presentation of the female crane operators at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.

    The operators are: Oni Omotayo; Tina Onwudiwe; Adewale Adegoroye; Adeniran Maltida and Ajayi Oluwaseun.

    “They are the first set of women to be trained in heavy duty cranes operation in Africa.

    “What is interesting is that we are able to bring in women operators into our industrial equipment conduct.

    “This is an additional opportunity for women in Nigeria and also a role model within and beyond the continent that women can actually turn into equipment operator in what has traditionally been a man dominated industry.

    “Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and Nigeria is also showing the way for women employment into the port industry.

    “So it is setting the pace for others within Nigeria and Africa as well. It is showing that there is a way to show the mind-sets not on gender but on capability merit.”

    The managing director said that the company invested 15,000 Euros (N6.5 million) in training each of the female operators in Cote D’ Ivoire, bringing the total for all five operators to 75,000 Euros (N32.5 million).

    “The initial training was six weeks from the trainers that we took from overseas and after six weeks, there was certification.

    “Direct training cost was 15,000 Euros but obviously you will have the power on the job which will not be optimum initially but will get better as the person develops the skill. ”

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, commended TICT for the initiative.

    “I will like to see more women being engaged in port operation activities. TICT has done something very impressive with the fact that they have realised the skill and capacity of women.

    “They have trained them and engage them doing the job.

    “I am very impressed with the terminal operator and I call on other terminal operators to do same and have women engaged in port operations just as the first female NPA managing director.

    “I look forward to seeing more women actively engaged in port operation.

    “I believe Nigeria as the giant of Africa is trail- blazing today by having women operating RTGs so we will continue to lead the pace in Africa.’’

    One of the newly-trained operators, Omotayo said she was happy on the job and considered it a great opportunity being the first female in Africa to operate a harbour crane.

    She said, “What a man can do, a woman can do better. Once you put your mind in it, you can do it.

    So, men should not feel they are the only ones that can do such jobs.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TICT has invested about N100 billion on the provision and development of facilities at its terminal since it commenced operations in 2006.

    The investment has led to efficiency in cargo delivery as well as the elimination of vessel queues at the terminal. (NAN)

  • Industrial manifesto for Africa

    Monday November 20  marked 2017 Africa Industrialization Day (AID). Declared by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), it is  an annual  platform for  governments, businesses and organized labour  linked to industrial development to examine ways and means to stimulate Africa’s industrialization process. Given the impact on national development, employment, climate and living standard of the citizens,  industrialization and industrial policies are too important to be left to governments and businesses alone.

    Industrial global union organizes 50 million manufacturing workers along the global value chains in 140 countries including Africa and in over 650 trade unions. The global union has over a million members in Africa including six sectors in Nigeria, namely textile, petroleum  and gas, automobile, mines and solid minerals, energy and chemical and allied products. Sustainable  industrial policy is one of the five critical success goals of the global union. The global union has resolved   to constructively engage with African governments, businesses, investors and employers as well as development institutions central banks,  Bank of Industry, UNIDO on all issues aimed at promoting industrialization and beneficiation in Africa.

    Industry is a key driver of sustainable jobs and development for national economies and the foundation of good living standards.. It does not matter whether it is first industrial revolution, (Industry 1.0), Second Industrial Revolution (2.0) Third Industrial Revolution (Industry 3.0) or the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), Africans must make what we wear (gold, rings and necklaces, clothes and textile), what we ride, (automobiles), what fuel our cars (petroleum products) what we build with (iron and steel), soaps we bath with (chemicals and allied products) and generate energy we consume. Africa must stop exporting raw cottons, crude oil, mineral resources, gold and diamond only to be importing finished goods from China, Europe and America. Either large small or medium scale enterprises, Africa must consume products it produces scale down or halt wholesale importation or smuggling as it is the case in Nigeria. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) had over the years shown  that manufacturing industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) lags behind other developing regions of the world. There  are three leading economies in Africa namely Nigeria which is worth some $406 billion,  Egypt $332.3 billion and South Africa  $294.1billion. Nigeria only leads in quantity GDP not quality in terms of manufacturing value added. Indeed  South Africa at 25 per cent is the highest, followed by  Egypt at 20 per cent and  Nigeria with less than five per cent. Ghana is even more industrialized at six per cent manufacturing value added (MVA). In  2015 Africa had as many as 1.2 billion population.  Millions of youths join the labour market annually without jobs making them voluntary slaves to Europe and America three hundred years after their forefathers gallantly fought against forced slavery by human predators in Europe and America. The cause of serial deaths on the  Mediterranean Sea  is wholesale de-industrialization of Africa. Only   industry can provide sustainable jobs and living wages and necessary revenues for government to provide the needed infrastructure for development. For  Africa to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2030, especially SDG 9 dealing with industry and innovation,  the continent must innovate and  industrialize.  Africa must copy China’s industrialization drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialization. Africa must make what it consumes, otherwise it will be consumed by the rest of the world. Many African countries have commendably  put in place robust documents and policies on industrialization and diversification, but capacity utilization is still very low with  few existing industries closing down with mass job losses. It’s time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Sudan walked/worked the policies and added value to the continent’s abundant raw materials.

    I acknowledge and commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for launching the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Together with the existing National Industrial Revolution Plan, the plan can promote revival of industries and creation of mass decent jobs. But it must be within an overall vision for development not just feverish “diversification plan’ on the heel of defending collapse of crude oil prices.  A number of  commendable initiatives  by African governments in promoting wealth generation and reviving the industry, include Buy-Africa campaign in South Africa and Buy Made-in-Nigeria campaign. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has signed three unprecedented Executive Orders mandating government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods and services. These orders would help in the recovery of many factories in Nigeria, if they are not undermined by pressures from smuggling and  imports. There are also some commendable sub-national initiatives such as the industrial parks of Ethiopia and Nigeria’s Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki. There certainly cannot  be industrialization without electrification. Nigeria must stop any action plan that will further give scarce public monies to non-performing privatized electricity distribution companies (Discos). African governments must  massively invest in energy mix of hydro, solar and nuclear to drive industrialization. It is remarkable that  ERGP sets  the target of reducing petroleum products imports in Nigeria by 80 per cent in 2018. That’s the way to create jobs, decent and sustainable jobs in the petroleum sector. With smart manufacturing or the so-called fourth industrial revolution, Africa has all the options to further add value to raw materials in place of extractions. But there must be just transition such that   Digitalization and Industry 4.0 is sensitive to the much needed social justice for  workers affected by the new technology in production. The   benefits of industrialization should not be privatized while  the costs are socialized. Whatever forms of industrialization, (1st or fourth industrial revolution) there must be decent sustainable jobs for the workers with job security, living wages and living pensions. Yes, technology makes work easier, but they also could lead to job losses. For there to be JUST transition to 4th Industrial revolution, there should be education and re-training for the workers. Employers and governments should not criminalize skill gabs as a result of digitalization of production. On the contrary, the  Fourth Industrial Revolution calls for the need to develop skills and know-how by workers to work with digital technologies.

     

    • Aremu, mni is vice president, Industriall Glo Union.