Venezuela: Like Nigeria, unlike Nigeria
By Our Reporter 9 hours 41 minutes ago
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Arrundell Arrundell

THERE are similarities between Venezuela and Nigeria. Both are sovereign, oil producing nations, and members of the Organisation of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC).

But that is where the similarities end. While Venezuelans are enjoying all the benefits of an oil producing country, same could not be said of Nigerians.

When Enerique Fernando Arrundell, the Venezuela Ambassador to Nigeria, paid about N12, 000 to refuel his car over two years ago, he expressed shock to Mrs. Dora Akunyili, the then Minister of Information and Communication

He said: “In Venezuela, since 1999, we’ve never had a raise in fuel price. We only pay $1.02 to fill the tank. What I pay for with N12, 000 here (Nigeria); in Venezuela I’ll pay N400. What is happening is simple. Our President (Hugo Chavez) decided one day to control the industry, because it belongs to the Venezuelans. If you don’t control the industry, your development will be in the hands of the foreigners. You have to have your own country. The oil is yours. Sorry I am telling you this. I am giving you the experience of Venezuela. We have 12 refineries in the United States, 18,000 gas stations in the West Coast. All we are doing is in the hands of the Venezuelans. Before 1999, we had three or four foreign companies working with us. That time they were taking 80 per cent, and giving us 20. Now, we have 90 per cent, and giving them 10 per cent. But now, we have 22 countries working with us in that condition.

“It is the Venezuelan condition. You know why? It is because 60 per cent of the income goes to social programmes. That’s why we have 22,000 medical doctors assisting the people in the community. The people don’t go to the hospital; doctors go to their houses. This is because the money is handled by the Venezuelans. How come Nigeria that has more technical manpower than Venezuela, with 150 million people, and very intellectual people all around, not been able to get it right?

“The question is, if you are not handling your resources, how are you going to handle the country? So, it is important that Nigeria takes control of its resources. We have no illiterate people. We have over 17 new universities totally free. I graduated from the university without paying one cent and take three meals every day, because we have the resources. We want the resources of the Nigerian people for the Nigerians. ”





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