₦airaland Forum

Nice story. Rating 6/10

namun:
please, there is a possibilty that most intention is for looting but please let us take an analytical loook at all perspectives. if it were another region for example, the whole nation was living on YOUr property and claiming ownership would you like it. my simple say to these is EVERY STATE DESERVES FIRST AND UNHINDERED CONTROL TO ITS RESOURCE. however they share or disperse it is there business

That is for a nation and not for  a state. The state government should be subject to the federal government. Even in the US, the state authority is subject to the federal.

The plight of the Niger delta is unfortunate, but all parties involved are culprits, and none should try to play the victim. Anyone who has worked on a field location in the oil sector would have an idea of the atrocities being committed on either side of the fence. My sympathy is for the hapless civilians caught up in the midst of the chaos. The Niger delta has no more been exploited by Nigeria as a whole, as they have been exploited by their own people.

One should not hide under a just cause, to legalize a criminal act.

Personally, I wouldn't mind if they let the Niger delta secede and lets see if the would fare any better on their own.

We cannot afford to put an airport in every nook and cranny when there are other areas that need attention.
Air transport is not a form of mass transport for the masses, and is inefficient for short distance cargo freight. Improve the condition of the roads and rail, introduce high speed trains, and complement with strategically placed airports for international and domestic long distance travels.
At our present level of development, we don't need an airport in every state. When the economy develops and there is increased demand, we can then build those airports to meet the demand.

9jaganja:
Which rich will get richer? The tailor that needs to go to aba to buy cheaper materials? or the shoe maker going to Aba also for cheaper materials? or the Togolese going to Aba to buy shoes and clothes to sell? they are all average people not rich people. Of course we should carry all the nation along but we have to think which will carry people the most. You know well that Lagos-Onitcha/Aba will more people. Also I'm not disputing the Lagos-Kano rail but when it comes to generating funds fast enough to encourage another project, Lagos-Onitcha-Aba and like someone added PH should be considered first.

The analogy of the rich getting richer simply meant the developed cities keeping getting more developed, while other areas remain less fortunate.

Do you have any figures (real or estimates) for the cost of the Onitsha route and/or the projected revenue from it? as you sound quite convinced of the economic viability of the project.
I doubt the margins are as wide as you seem to believe.

9jaganja:
It'll cost more but it'll also pay back way faster than the cheaper project. I don't think any Nigerian need figures to know that the trading between Lagos, Onitcha and Aba is a massive one.

Don't be so sure. While there is an existing path for the Lagos-Kano route, there is no existing path for the Lagos onitsha route. The (true) cost difference would be huge.

Also you have failed to respond to the argument of providing development to other regions. If one follows your argument on a repeated basis, all the infrastructure would end up being concentrated in/between a few cities. It would be similar to the rich getting richer, and poor getting poorer.

It is a federal government project, and effort should be made to carry every part of the nation along, even if it uneconomical in the short term.

walakolobo:
I thought the likes of you were on here saying there was no need for the railway project in Nigeria?

what do you mean by the 'likes of you'?

9jaganja:
We have to start from somewhere but we have to think of which will generate revenue for both maintainance and help fund other projects faster than the other. The traders coming from Ghana, Benin and Togo will use this light rail if it's a Lagos-Onitcha/Aba route; thereby making it not only for Nigerians but also other West Africa nations and generating revenues really fast and improving trading in the routes. If the internal trade between the Lagos-Kano routes is not as much as that of Lagos-Aba/Onitcha route, the revenue that will be generated from the latter won't be as much as that of the former. That is why I don't support the Lagos-Kano route. Revenue generator is what we need right now.

But like I said earlier it would also cost more. Without specific figures, one cannot say which would be more viable in the short term.

debosky:
You don't get it do you? Do we need a $400m white elephant airport when we don't have roads to get a farmer's produce to market? THINK!! People are screaming their heads off about N100 petrol when in Britain it hasn't been less than N200 for a while now.

I get very worried when it becomes a numbers comparison thing - our needs are not the same as the British. We already have 15 UNVIABLE (replace with underutilised if you like) airports in the country at the moment, do we need to add any more?
Is building airports now our headache?  

I wish you even read the article properly - the implementation of high speed rail services across the country rendered the airports unnecessary. We should not run headlong into unviable projects, especially when there is no evidence of studies done indicating the quantifying the actual demand for such services except 'Onitsha traders will use it well' or "Ibadan amala sellers will love it' or 'a new lease of life for a city' and the other anecdotal justifications given here so far.

We need to look at OUR infrastructure needs and plan accordingly, not simply conceiving grandiose projects which never bring any value to the citizenry.

That is what I feel we need: A well connected high speed rail service, complemented by a few regional airports.

walakolobo:
so who do you blame for that? Government as usual?

Blame who for what?
Drivers changing lanes unnecessarily - I blame the drivers
Government increasing the number of lanes when it will not solve the problem - I blame the govt

The sad part is that, most often than not, increasing the number of lanes beyond a six does not solve congestion problems. Drivers' penchant for frequent changing of lanes often negate the benefits of in the increase.

9jaganja:
I picked Onitcha slash Aba cause not only Nigerians trade in these places. People from Ghana, Togo, Cameroon and Benin come to trade in Aba and Onitcha market. Also it will benefit the villages and towns along the route too. By connecting a light rail from Lagos to Onitcha and Aba means people coming from Togo, Benin and Ghana going to Aba will not have to take another bus after getting to Lagos. And there are more villages and towns among Lagos-Aba/Onitcha route than Lagos to Kano route.

I never brought my Family into the discussion I only used my Family as a point to show you tribalism doesn't run in my blood. You just picked the easiest punch line to insult me with.

While the economic benefits are obvious, a rail road across the southern states (due to terrain and the limits on maneuverability of trains) is orders of magnitude more difficult (and thus more expensive) to construct.

The fact that the lagos-onitsha route might be more economically viable, does not overwhelm the argument for carrying the rest of the nation along. The dredging of the Niger would help onitsha and its environs while the lagos-kano light rail would bring development to the people in other regions.

A look at the proposed routes, and I feel at the end of the day, most interests would be covered. We have to start from somewhere and I think Lagos-Kano is as good as any other choice.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/51/Rail_Map_NG.JPG

9jaganja:
Hey, don't insult my Family, insult me okay? You accused me of tribalism and I won't take it likely from a swine looking, fat, bacon munching, slowpoke like you. I disagreed with you and in order for you to feel like your short hand will have a upper hand, you accused me of tribalism. So you shoved decency up your ass in the first place.

Any form of development is welcomed but not a wasteful one. If the project will be taken seriously, let it start. My disagreeing with the project doesn't mean it'll be stopped will it? NO so Arrow disagree with me and not accuse me of an evil action cause tribalism is evil.

You brought your family into the discussion, so don't cry foul. I have no intention of insulting you or your family, and only commented on the image your post portrayed. If you don't like such an image, then stop making rude remarks.

You failed to state any valid reason for opposing the project, rather suggesting that they pick a different destination. That comment does not speak in the best interests of those cities along the current route. I only stated my logical conclusion.

If you are not guilty of being sentimental as have been accused, then please provide a sound argument in defence of yourself. In good faith, I apologize for my earlier statement if you deemed it an insult.

9jaganja:
Hey!! suffer head, stop throwing tribalist accusations around. I'm a Yoruba and I'm from Lagos state. What has me saying Lagos-Kano light rail project is a joke got to do with tribalism?. I welcomed the Onitcha seaport project. What has that got to do with the tribalism? Are you just nuts and want to accuse someone as soon as possible? You are just so stupid to turn it to a tribalist accusation simply because I didn't agree with you. Tribalism doesn't run in the Aromire family abeg, go elsewhere!. I'll be more concern with the roads getting a rehab than a light rail simple. So what da hell has that got to do with tribalism? You de kolo for brain!!!!

and there goes decency out the window. it is possible for tribalism not to run in the Aromire family, but same cannot be said for lacking conversational etiquette.

michelin89:
Uff I have already noticed the admin and I'll inform you of his decision.

Anyways I don't understand why you are playing his advocate.

Is there a time frame in which to expect a response/resolution from you or the admin?

asha 80:
9jaganja is from lagos state.

While I don't know him personally, there is a difference between living in Lagos, and being from Lagos, with the latter being the minority. Still, that doesn't change the relevance of my statement to him/her ("You fail to see anything positive in a project the moment you cannot relate it to a direct benefit for your own ethnicity."

To say the Kano-Lagos rail is a joke means you do not see the benefit of the project to all the cities that would be interconnected along the route. Unless one is prejudiced, it is easy to appreciate the contribution of such a project to the mass movement of people and commodities between affected cities (and the radial effect on neighboring towns)

9jaganja:
I stand corrected. The Lagos-Kano light rail is a joke. Let them pick another destination. By the way, the middle belt is the food basket of the nation not Kano or the North.

So the train will only stop in Lagos and Kano? It would not pass through the same middle belt regions? BTW do the cattle also come from the middle belt too?
Its thinking like this that bar the nation from moving forward. You fail to see anything positive in a project the moment you cannot relate it to a direct benefit for your own ethnicity.
If you were from Kano, you would likely be singing a different tune.

I don't think you should meet with your ex.
You misjudged him once, there is every likelihood it would happen again. Do not overestimate your abilities, nor underestimate your ex.
You should limit your contacts with him to emails and sms, at least until you are sure both parties have moved on.
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice . . . . . . . . . . .

just my 50 kobo

9jaganja:
I go be the first to ship car pass am if dem finish am. That's if any ship from Newark go reach there. What I want people to note is this: Assuming no environmental hazard will result from this project, it's been built with Nigerians' money but all of a sudden, it'll be privatized as soon as it's done and clearing price hike follows. Another seaport in Nigeria will mean less congestion in Lagos. Hopefully, many other social benefits will come with this port. Lagos-Kano rail na joke. Lagos Onitcha/Aba rail go help many biz way more than Lagos-Kano. mess light rail, repair the road first.

and why is this? you prefer the same areas to be repeatedly focused on? Your argument will only lead to an avalanche effect.
The rail would help to interconnect all the cities along the path and not only Lagos and Kano. It will help reduce the number of trailers on the road, moving farm produce from the Northern states to the south, and processed consumer products in the opposite direction.

Premier Gaou - Magic System

dis na wetin my guy see wey im shout "Kasala!!!"
Wahala dey o!

So we are talking of a 24hr window. ?

Contrary to Outstrip's position, neither are you the one getting married, nor will you be delivering your baby yourself. In both cases, you will only be there to lend your support, and your presence is not crucial.

The choice is between you possibly missing the birth of your child, and you definitely missing your friend's wedding. Personally, I would take my chances, and honor my friend's request.

how long would you have to be away? where is the wedding taking place? where are you?

This topic should include a poll

Backslider:
@biina


The fact is that the money stolen would be used to build the roads and the right to bid for the roads can be taken if the roads are not OK. THIS IS LIKE PUT YOUR RICH TO WORK.

You just need to Set up a road authority in each state by the states themselves. The states will sell road blocks and then the bidders will get the road done and collect the tolls.

There will be a review if the roads are not ok and the users will have the option to use other better roads. MASS TRANSIT WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM ANY TOLL.

OUR RICH MEN IN NIGERIA MUST WORK WITH THEIR MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENCOURAGE THEM TO WORK WETHER THEY STOLE THE MONEY OR NOT. IF THEY STOLE THE MONEY AND ARE CAUGHT THE LAW SHOULD TAKE ITS COURSE.

THE MONEY WASTED ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION IS SO MUCH THAT WE ARE PAY SEVERAL PERCENTAGE MORE THAN THE TRUE COST OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND ROAD MAINTENANCE.

Firstly you cannot place all roads under the jurisdiction of the states. There will always be federal highways.

Your idea would be nice, if the road authority would not be in collusion with the private investors. Nigeria is littered with federal parastatals that protect the interest of their friends at the expense of the Nigerian populace.
There is a difference between privatization and personalization.

I would go with Gowon

I don't think any fair minded person would deny that the oil producing areas have been neglected, but the approach of MEND has given the federal government the higher moral ground.
Like I said earlier, they will only survive if the international community supports them, a support they will not get given where the interest of those countries lie.

michelin89:
If this is the problem then I can't be of help. I have never taken credit for that thread and I am not interested in doing so. In my initial post I stated boldly that the original thread was being closed and I also gave reasons. If segoye2 is more worried about the copyright rather than the fact that the thread still exists, I myself doubt the importance he gives to that thread.

Does is matter who the first poster is or our (the admin and mine) intention to preserve that thread and give the chance to the Yorubas of this forum to have a meeting zone?

Anyways I'll speak to the admin and ask if he can merge segoye's first post to the current thread, although I personally don't see any issue at hand.

The question is not on if you took credit for the thread, but rather a case of adopting best practices and discouraging plagiarism. One of the short comings of the Nigerian society is our low valuation of intellectual property, that has often killed innovation.

As to addressing the issue itself, I dont think it requires an elaborate solution like merging segoye2's original post with the new thread . Simply editing the first post with a statement saying  that the old thread was created by segoye2, and providing a link to the old thread(s), should suffice. For example

This is a continuation of the 'If You Can Speak Yoruba, Talk It In Here!' thread (created by segoye2) .

The old thread(s) is/are available at (in chronological order)

1. https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-48547.0.html
2.
3.


It should be like referencing a book or an article in a report.
It would be a step forward if a similar approach is adopted in future cases.

jay bee:
Do ya'all know how safe the reactor is? Ya'all just hear the word Nuclear and shivers running all through ya body.
Reactors are built to withstand earthquake. Fusion gets nutralised when the strict parameters set indicate any minute error with manual and automatic control functions.
The only worry is the nuclear waste not the power plant.

Nuclear is def an option but like debosky said, we need to explore clean coal technology, rich untapped abundant gas and the other forms of energy generating techniques before we jump into the big league.

I have visited nuclear sites (Heysham and Hunterstone power station) and almost took a job as a nuclear engineer so i know what i am talking about.

It is so safe from radiation leakage that there is an overwhelming demand for monolithic containment vessels of which there are only 4.5 manufacturers with most having capacity for less than 5 units production annually?
With all the advances in Nuclear energy, we have already had four level 3 accidents this decade. In a poorly managed response, a nuclear accident could easily become an environmental catastrophe.

No one is questioning the feasibility of Nuclear sources in countries like the US, France or Japan. The question is on Nigeria. One cannot compare the development level of Nigeria to the earlier listed countries.

Its like flying by air, the consequences of an air disaster are not comparable to an automobile accident. Would you suggest Nigeria build our own airplanes?

debosky:
We already have a nuclear research facility that has operated without incident. What I am advocating is a similar sized facility for power generation with the same levels of control and supervision as the existing one. We can manage it in that form and not lose the potential benefits in the long run.

Regarding 'ever needing it', I think you need to look at energy studies that have been done. There is no reason to think we won't need nuclear energy in the future - our population is growing, we have significant constraints on our fossil fuel infrastructure, such that we cannot even meet local demand. A 'stand alone' nuclear facility has it's benefits - especially for areas in the North of the country far removed from fossil fuel deposits, particularly the North East that would be suited for a nuclear power station.

Having a nuclear research facility is not at the same level as having a nuclear reactor. You can research all you want, just don't build a full scale reactor.

The point on 'ever needing it' has to do with the question of when we will we run out of fossil fuels, and what alternative sources would be available at that time. I dont see that happening in the next 20yrs. The depletion would be gradual and not overnight. Excluding the uranium conditioning, it takes about 5yrs to bring a reactor online, which is ample time to respond if the need arises.

The constraints on fossil fuel infrastructure is due to an inept government, and one can argue that same would plague the nuclear power efforts.

debosky:
Not immediately no, given that we have comparatively easier power sources like unexploited hydro, gas and coal.

At the top strategic level, it would be something useful to consider, even if just at a small scale to build up know how and local capability. We will need it in the long run after fossil fuels have been exhausted or become more expensive.

Until we show a higher level of responsibility as a society, we should stay away from Nuclear power. A nuclear hazard makes an oil spillage look like child's play (and you can imagine how often we have spills).
We don't need it now, and there is no evidence that we would ever need it, so why risk it?