I have strong reservations about the plan by the Federal Government to lift the ban on the importation of textile and sundry items such as tooth picks and cassava.

According to reports, the Minister of Finance took the decision because the World Bank had complained that the nation’s list of banned items was “unnecessarily too long” and also to check smuggling and increase the revenue accruable to the Federal Government from import duties.

While I condemn the activities of smugglers, it is questionable whether the unreflective opening up of the nation’s economy to the dumping of all sorts of imported goods, including tooth picks, is the best way to go about it.

With this new measure, it is obvious that this administration has run out of ideas on the management of the economy, which has vindicated my previous position.

Smuggling exists partly because of the high cost of doing business in Nigeria, which not only militates against the growth of local industries, but also makes local products more expensive relative to what you find in other countries.

A survey conducted as part of its membership operational audit in January 2010 by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), showed that 839 manufacturing companies closed shop in 2009 as a result of harsh operating environment.

Wouldn’t focusing on improving the environment for businesses in Nigeria be a more efficient way of combating smuggling while simultaneously stimulating industrialisation and job creation?

I am rather aghast that the Finance Minister, who had claimed that “the economy is too technical for some Nigerians to understand” seems, by this move, to be contradicting the objectives of earlier government policies.

It is curious that the same government, which in June 2010 approved the release of N24 billion for the resuscitation of the ailing textile industries in Kaduna and also approved N15 billion for the Kaduna Independent Power Project (IPP) could initiate a policy in negation of that initiative.

One would think that the objective of the government’s support in June was to resuscitate these textile mills and nurture them to health and maturity. Now the Minister has opened the doors for massive importation of textiles without considering the possible impact of this on the government’s plan to resuscitate the local textile industry. Where is then the economic nationalism that should inform economic policy?

The impression is given that the Minister is only myopically concerned about the activities of smugglers and improving the revenues accruable to the government through import duties and levies without considering the broader impact of this move.

What about the impact of such liberalisation on pressures on foreign currencies to finance these imports? Has the Minister considered that plugging areas of leakages in the economy could be a more viable way of shoring up the government’s revenue?

While I am not advocating for uncritical protectionism in this era of globalisation, I feel strongly concerned that the recent measures by this administration seem to have been taken without critical reflection.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho claimed his side were still a work in progress following the 5-0 derby defeat to Barcelona, and admitted they had been well beaten.

“One team played at its maximum level and the other team played very badly,” he said.
“It’s a defeat, not a humiliation.”

And the Madrid coach was unhappy at his side’s defending in the first half.
“We gifted them two goals that were almost ridiculous,” he said.

Mourinho remained in the dugout as his side capitulated in the second period, but said there was nothing he could do to prevent the heavy defeat.

“I was watching the game. I tried to change things at the interval and we came out quite well, but then they scored again and there was nothing I could do – the game was lost,” he said.

The defeat sees Madrid drop to second in the Primera Division after 13 rounds of matches, but with 25 games left, Mourinho is not panicking just yet.

“Last week we had a point more than Barcelona and today we have a point less,” he said.
“And as I have always said, Barca is the finished article while Madrid is still a long way off that.”
Madrid are now at home to Valencia next weekend and Mourinho is sure his players will react positively.

“We have to show character. After a defeat like this you want to play again soon. We are playing on Saturday, but I wish we could play tomorrow,” he said.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola was delighted with his side’s performance, but believes tonight’s result does not prove his side to be superior to Madrid.
“This match isn’t representative of the difference between the two teams,” he said after the match.

“They are a very good team, they came here unbeaten and as league leaders. Today all of our players played well and that was the difference.

“Now it’s very easy to we are better than them, but only time will tell. In a few years time, we will see.
“They are on a spectacular level, but we were better today.”

Nevertheless, Guardiola did admit his side have been a level above Madrid in his time as coach, in which he has won all five meetings with Barca’s biggest rivals.

“In these two years we have been superior to Madrid – that’s true. With time, we can enjoy these things more,” he said.
“And we will enjoy this for a few days now as well.”

New Eagles Boss Pleads For Patience, Promises To Deliver

FOOTBALL:

While millions of Nigerians are still celebrating the appointment of Samson Siasia as the new Eagles boss, the former Nigeria international has sued for patience from all as he prepares to build a new national team just as the new national team manager gets set to be unveiled today at the Abuja National Stadium.

“The senior national team, the Super Eagles is a different team entirely. It is a different team from the Flying Eagles or the U-23 Dream Team”, Siasia opened up Tuesday in Abuja.

“I would expect total support, prayers and above all patience from all Nigerian in order to build a new, vibrant team that will deliver the kind of results Nigerians would love to get,” Siasia pleaded.

The former Heartland of Owerri gaffer would further reveal that the NFF has not tabled before him any list of assistant coaches that would be decided by the Technical Committee to work with him.

“No, I have not seen any list of coaches (from NFF). They have not told me anything in that regard,” he explained.

During his interview leading to Siasia’s appointment as Super Eagles boss, the Technical Committee of NFF made it clear that they would propose two coaches for the consideration and approval as his assistant coaches.

He was also informed the Federation reasons for his decision to reject such coach or coaches.

“No list of coaches as possible assistants to me has been forwarded by the NFF,” Siasia concluded.

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thank you

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