aribisala0:

i do not think the case for such integration should be ethnic but rather economic
as such integration should mean infrastructure integration and collaborative efforts  to avoid duplication of efforts and other synergies.
e.g. we will have to move away,at some point from a national grid model of power distribution,
regions can also collaborate on road and rail networks
this regional integration should form part of our overall national economic blueprint

in fact there is no reason  why infrastructure integration cannot include neighbouring countries in specific instances. e;g
england and france have a channel tunnel.

.i[b]if there is a case it should be pursued and it may make better sense for some yoruba states to integrate their infrastructure with others elsewhere based on economic merit[/b]

in my view there should be train links from onitsha to lagos as there is a very good business case just as there should be from lagos to accra

Kobojunkie:

What has stopped them from doing it on a state by state basis since 2000? I think we need to think critically about all the trash we hear from these politicians? What stopped these states from implementing SIMPLER development at the state level?

manny4life:

Regional integration? I'm surprised to hear this from him.

I've said this thing a few times on previous threads; regional states NEED to come together and form an economic consortium. This activity will drastically improve on infrastructural development, education, security et al. This is a good step in the right direction, it means someone is thinking, all that's left is walking the talk.

Gbawe:


Wow!!! I doff my hat !!!! Lately , your posts have marked you out as very sound, rather well-exposed and liberally sophisticated . More grease to your elbow.

aribisala0:

mr bawi i thought i told you to avoid cannabis?

High_Chief:

^^^Pls can you list categorically how Tinubu is different from the PDP guys

hercules07:

He gave us Fashola, OBJ gave us Yar Adua and GEJ.

AjCityOne:

If anyone here is calling regional unity as an advocate for tribal interest then they really need to have their head checked put. This country is been moving backward much faster by this president than the previous administration and no one seem to care about the way PDP is driving out beloved country to the ground. Tinubu is a visionary man and a strong charismatic leader who can stand up to the criminal entity called PDP and what you should be hoping for in your South East is another Tinubu in your region. Let him be the Yoruba criminal all he wants. He;s our leader and we love him dearly. Now go get your own leader because 2015 is just around the corner.

kj_hova:

Kobojunkie, it's OK if you hate Tinubu. It really makes no difference to me. However, the idea of integration (especially) of congruent states in terms of infrastructure, systems, bureaucracy etc is sure a bright one from the man. It is the way of common sense as it creates the opportunity to cut off many inefficiencies and duplication.

kj_hova:

In your response to my post, you sounded like it is sinister to this nation for ethnically similar states to co-operate in any form. On the contrary, it could be indeed healthy for Nigeria if well managed. There is gain in diversity.
As for your suggestion that Fashola jettisoned most of Tinubu's projects, that is far from the truth. The main ventures we now associated with Fashola; BRT, LAGBUS, RRT, Lekki FTZ etc were all hatched since 1999. There was also the 4th mainland bridge, Lagos International Airport etc that were also planned which the Fashola government may have left for the future. Someone else will attend to these hopefully and will be associated with them.
I am indifferent about Tinubu, but I think working to help Fashola take over from him and working hard to entrench a viable opposition to the ruling party are worthy contributions to our democracy that I'd like some other regional bigwigs to emulate.
Regards.

kj_hova:

Kobo mate, the thread still remains a rational discuss on Tinubu's suggestion for Integration of ACN controlled or South-West states. In your recent post on my comment, I feel you crossed the lines of civilities in taking strokes at my likely age or reason.

kj_hova:

In any case, let me assure you that my view point is not hinged on Tinubu or anyone. I am not Yoruba and its my dream that one day the government system, transport, communications, bureaucracy, education and marketing boards, etc of the Niger-Delta will aggregate to foster sustainable growth in that area. Ditto for the east, west, "core" north and every other area that can be fashioned out of this land mass.

kj_hova:

I am not afraid of people associating on the basis of their common ethnicity or heritage. That some folks have used such for devilish purpose in the past does not remove the advantages of a commonwealth.

kj_hova:

I believe you are aware of how proud the Basque, Madridistas or Catalans are of their identities in Spain. You must also note the existence of the Bank of Scotland with all other ethnic institutions existing in that territory. It has yet to threaten the existence of the United Kingdom. My visions are along such lines. Hoping the clarification is spot on.

kj_hova link=topic=802829.msg9560701#msg9560701 date=1321353[b:
386]
Kobojunkie, it's OK if you hate Tinubu. It really makes no difference to me. However, the idea of integration (especially) of congruent states in terms of infrastructure, systems, bureaucracy etc is sure a bright one from the man. It is the way of common sense as it creates the opportunity to cut off many inefficiencies and duplication.[/b]
In your response to my post, you sounded like it is sinister to this nation for ethnically similar states to co-operate in any form. On the contrary, it could be indeed healthy for Nigeria if well managed. There is gain in diversity.
As for your suggestion that Fashola jettisoned most of Tinubu's projects, that is far from the truth. The main ventures we now associated with Fashola; BRT, LAGBUS, RRT, Lekki FTZ etc were all hatched since 1999. There was also the 4th mainland bridge, Lagos International Airport etc that were also planned which the Fashola government may have left for the future. Someone else will attend to these hopefully and will be associated with them.
I am indifferent about Tinubu, but I think working to help Fashola take over from him and working hard to entrench a viable opposition to the ruling party are worthy contributions to our democracy that I'd like some other regional bigwigs to emulate.
Regards.

redsun:

The crook is just capitilizing on the tension in d country aswell his nemesis of being one step away from kirikiri to weep up tribal sentiment knowing fully well that so many tribal mugus will fall for it. Tinubu is a criminal,his opinions belong to d underworld,jailyard.

S’West Governors Meet on Integration

09 Jul 2011




By Toba Suleiman

Five South-western state governors again met Friday in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital where they agreed to set up a 21-man Technical Committee to appraise the possible areas of integration among the constituent states of the region.

Governors at the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and the host governor, Kayode Fayemi.  Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State was represented by his deputy, Otunba Titilayo Olaoye-Tomori.

The governors of Edo and Lagos States, Adams Oshiomole and Babatunde Fashola respectively sent apologies for their inability to attend the meeting.


According to the Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors deliberated on the possibility of formulating a regional action plan in the area of politics and socio-economic integration of the zone.

The governors agreed that they would pull resources together to enhance the fortunes of the region in areas that are germane to the yearnings of the people.

Fayemi, who read the communiqué of the meeting, indicated that the governors ruled out the possibility of considering party affiliations in the proposed regional integration in the geographical zone.

In pursuit of regional integration in Nigeria
By Femi Orebe 30/10/2011 00:00:00




It is for me a great pleasure to present to my readers this Sunday, 　the views of Chief Dele Falegan,　a trained Economist and　 quintessential　 banker; 　indeed, a former　 Director of Research in the Central Bank of Nigeria, as he writes on how Economic Integration can see our country out of its 　current economic morass.

A very perceptive reader of the column phoned in this past week　to call my attention to what he described as the monotony of articles on Regional Integration of recent. I pleaded with him for understanding. 　I further explained that the same criticism was once made about the column concerning articles on Ekiti. The ‘raison detre’, I told him, derives from the Yoruba belief that it foams only when you urinate on one spot. As to the Ekiti case, we needed to fight impunity to a standstill. We did; and the good Lord restored our mandate to its original owner. But what is the essence of electoral victory if it will not　 positively impact the people?

Happily, all our governors in the geo-political zone, without exception, are 　agreed, and have decided to do just that. All we are doing here, including today’s article, is to further 　enlighten our people　 about　the DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR　 WESTERN NIGERIA document , rigorously put together by the Afenifere Renewal Group. Needless to say that the document is a product of a deep inter-rogation of　 the socio-economic conditions in the region.

Please come with me then, 　as we read Chief Falegan.

As a former banker,　 Femi Orebe’s 　paper on South-West Regional Integration at the recent EKITI ECONOMIC SUMMIT　 (14th – 15th October 2011), provided　 for me, an opportunity 　to dilate further on how such proposals, both 　within 　and , even across geo-political zones, can hasten the much-talked about economic take-off of the　 country. It is therefore my view that we have to rapidly put in place, a project along the ROAD MAP already outlined in the DAWN document.


[b]One specific proposal/project I have in mind is aimed at resolving the problem of 　neglected Federal Roads in　 Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and　 Kwara State in the Northern axis with the　　South-West　 serving as the 　fulcrum.

　I do not think that the neglect of federal roads in this part of the country is deliberate. But the crying 　lack of attention relative to other parts of the country in this 　respect　 cannot but give room for concern. The daily carnage and loss of lives on these roads cannot but raise eyebrows, especially the inability to drive safely along Ondo and Ekiti States where the Federal roads linking them have been rendered completely impassable.These include the roads from Ikare in Ondo State and Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital;　 the one 　between Ikere　 and Akure, the Ondo State capital, which has 　become totally impassable, all collectively impacting negatively on the economy of these states. It is unthinkable that as you read this, there is no dedicated Lagos-Abuja highway in spite of all the huge fortune that fell on our laps during the Obasanjo years.

I concede that apart from financial constraints, there is 　in addition,　 a gaping lack of　 executive capacity within the Federal government, the Federal Ministry of Works and its direct Agency in this respect, FERMA,　 which makes it impossible for them to cope with the challenges inherent in this massive business of keeping our road network in top shape as one would normally expect. This cannot, however, be an extenuating reason for the humongous level of carnage on these roads as well as the attendant disruption to economic life

　These are the reasons I like to propose that 　the named states in the South-West and Kwara 　State should jointly　 access the　 facilities available at the International Development Association (IDA), which is the soft loan arm of the World Bank to　 fund the　 reconstruction　of all the　 Federal roads　 in the　 zone/s.　 Should the IDA require a guarantee from the Federal Government, the states should not hesitate to approach the Jonathan -led Federal Government, for same.

　IDA loans have long term　 gestation periods　lasting between 40 to 50 years ; with a grace period of 10 years during which there is no repayment, and with interest charges at 　less than 1%. This means there will be no repayment burden for the present


generation, and the future, paying generation would have benefitted immensely from increased economic activities to be generated therefrom.　 Repayment will therefore be　almost painless. It is worthy　 of note too 　that　 IDA facilities have 　no hold on the borrowers’ 　existing resources which can thus bedevoted to　other pressing developmental needs.

The roads within the proposed co-operating states　 pass and cut the states vertically and diagonally from (a) Akure in Ondo State, 　Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State to Omuaran in Kwara State: (b) Ikare in Ondo State to Ado-Ekiti 　to Ilesha in Osun State: (c) Iyamoye in Kwara 　to Ikole in Ekiti State via Ogotun-Ekiti 　to Ikeji 　in Osun State.

It is suggested that 　the roads should be dual carriage. They will be about the only major Federal project in this part of the country since independence. The recent inspection of Federal roads (and indeed all Federal projects) in this part of the country confirms the need for a concerted effort by these states in making this joint effort　 and for a Federal Government, eager to join the group of the most developed 20 economies barely nine years from now, to eagerly　lend 　its support.

　A committee of experts on infrastructure procurement made up of members 　from all the 　states can 　be set up immediately 　to work out details. This should be far and beyond politics and partisan politics must not be allowed to kill it off. Details should include (a) the project coverage showing the number of　 kilometres from each state which will determine the financial　 commitment of each state (b) the total financial package which will determine the proportion of repayment by each state as at future repayment schedule (c) debt burden sharing and typology of debt per state.

Fortunately, these states, individually or collectively, have very low current 　debt burden and are under-borrowed whether from the point of view of external or domestic debt or both.　 To make　 each state 　a major beneficiary of this scheme is to maximally improve overall economic activities in the country. As at today, only about 10 states are benefiting from IDA facilities in Nigeria. Japan has identical facility and repayment terms as the IDA credit and it is a great pity that Nigeria is not maximally utilising　IDA to massively build up its infrastructure stock.
[/b]

This proposal, if accepted, will add 　value to the overall development and growth of the entire country.

The example 　can 　be replicated in other zones of the country so as to cut down on the carnage and 　the unnecessary loss of the lives of the most active and productive　segment of our population just as it will generate massive employment opportunities for our horde of unemployed youth and, without a doubt, enhance security of persons and property.