₦airaland Forum

Netotse,
I asked “Is it possible to use assets of distribution companies (Poles, transformers, wire lines etc) which are located in a particular state for the benefit of the citizens of any other state? “
You responded:

yep. . .that's the way they were built, a grid is primarily meant to wheel power from place to place and it makes sense to have some level of redundancy.

I don’t follow you. Isn’t the grid part of the transmission system? Has the distribution system been merged with the distribution system in Nigeria? If so, that does not make any sense. By definition, the assets of the distribution companies located in a particular state cannot be used for the benefit of citizens of any other state, unless in areas along state borders. No?

netotse: where would govt get the money to give them from? the FGN cant invest the money required to fix the power sector and at the same time deal with other areas of the economy(e.g. education, security, fuel subsidy et al), the state govts have been moaning that they were willing to provide power but the FGN was standing in the way but this policy is trying to provide a way for them to put their money where their mouths are.

My point is that the government (Fed or State) does not need to worry about funding any part of the distribution companies’ infrastructure. They can subsidize these companies by removing ALL taxes for the next 5-10 years and help them find cheap financing sources from China and other South American companies.  The Feds can help the distribution companies find foreign partners as well. These ideas seem to be better than getting the states involved and essentially introducing inefficiencies and corruption into the system.

You asked: “you make it fashionable to run a distribution company without charging exhorbitant rates?”  Why can’t the government give the companies the kinds of incentives described above?  I’d rather the government pay subsidies to the distribution companies and allow them to run their businesses without interference.

commonwealth ko, common treasonous act ni. You people are well advised to learn how to make the current system you have functional and viable, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel in an act which would ultimately land y'all in jail for treason.

I need some responses, where are the knowledgeable folks?

[quote author=ekt_bear link=topic=881188.msg10337722#msg10337722 date=1331004791]I honestly don't begrudge you and your family your ill-begotten wealth, ndu_chucks. Probably if I'd been in the same situation, I'd have done the same thing.

However, just as I don't begrudge you, neither should you begrudge those who seek a reckoning

If I were you guys, I would look to begin liquidating those assets in the ND asap. Convert into hard currency which you can then hide away somewhere in Europe.

A word is enough for the wise [/quote]You are typically not the type to personalize issues, you normally use good logic and analysis before commenting on most issues. You are starting to allow bigotry get in your way and that is quite unfortunate.

Many of you people are gong ho about oil blocks located miles and miles away from the shores of Nigeria. How such asset is located in ND is beyond comprehension. Most inland oil blocks in the ND are no longer productive, Shell has already sucked them dry. Why don't you people ask your elders in the area why they took hush monies from these companies instead of demanding accountability?

For those issuing threats, your threats are quite empty. Bunch of lazy fools. If I invest millions of dollars and find oil, who are you to say I should not enjoy the fruits of my capitalist labour? If I don't find oil after spending millions, do you compensate me? Leave capitalists alone, move to North Korea if you hate capitalism.

Beaf:
^
I wonder why capitalism has not created rampant clouds of almajiri's in the South and Middle Belt? Hmmmm!
I'm also wondering why there is no boko haram in places like Ekiti and Ebonyin; or is there something in the kunu capitalists in the core-North drink that they can manufacture astonishing amounts of death, misery, disease, illiteracy, poverty and terrorism? Even amongst their kinsmen?

Do capitalists demand more awuf oil money as ransome, else they wipe out their own women and children with bombs? Or have them gunned down in the market place?

It would seem that such capitalists who make twice as much as all ND states, yet live in houses with goldplated walls amidst indescribable penury and squalor are better called locusts, vampires, blood suckers and parasites.

If you want to discuss poverty alleviation and why it has failed all across the country, you can open a separate thread to discuss that. Similarly if your passion is the plight of the Almajiris, please feel free to open a thread to discuss that as well.

Your typical cop out and manner of muddling up issues to confuse people who have offered superior logic in addressing particular issues will not be tolerated here. Where is your specific disagreement with any part of my post? The people you are demonizing here are legitimate businessmen who own oil blocks and are creating jobs for Nigerians by the thousands. They have done nothing wrong by practicing capitalism.

Please name names, if you know of individuals who are demanding awuf money as you put it. I will not defend such people. You should join me in encouraging capitalists in our society.

[quote author=ekt_bear]Na wa o

So this is why fulanis like ndu_chucks believe in "one Naijeriya" at all costs?

Which one of those oil blocks does your family have an interest in, alhaji?[/quote]It suffices to say here that capitalism is not intrinsically evil. Being a capitalist does not mandate one to be a philanthropist, period.

If people legitimately invest in oil blocks risking millions of dollars, when their exploration activities yield fruit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of ones labour.

ekt_bear, you of all people are not known to espouse communist ideals. Some of the people you are jealous of and are vilifying provide employment to hundreds of thousands of you people. Many give out hundreds of millions to charities and NGOs. You people should focus on your state governments and demand accountability from your governors. Leave these legitimate capitalists and business men alone.

@Eze Onlytruth, you have stooped to a new low by posting a photograph which mocks some of the most marginalized Nigerians. Shame on you.

Eziachi:
Sorry buddy, I was meant to say she was 4 years younger than me.
apologies!

I knew you are an old coot, a real veteran. Dalu o

Eziachi:
Your comment makes you sound younger than a 13 YEAR OLD   .
So you have no idea then what the word: teenager means? I was only 4 years younger than her and still enroll and saw combat, So what is cookig for a 13 year old well grounded girl from a good family?
You can see how difficult times can make the future of children, as her experience must have help to becoe what she became and her father just my own father taking the lead and not hidding on the roof top

You saw combat at 10 years old? 

I don't think so buddy. You may have been used as a scout, not so sure you fired the type of machine guns used back then in a substantial manner. I thought you were an old coot who actually saw real combat.

Chei, the standard for being a war veteran has been significantly weakened by these people.

And given the nature of forced conscriptions into the war at the time, young male adults were forced into the war, while young female adults were forced into the kitchen - those to cook for those fighting the war. One of those in the kitchen then was the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Shame on the biafra leaders for forcing 11 and 12 year old girls into the kitchen to cook for them - that is if the story is true

Nchara:
Precisely.

And BTW, Okija juju = Ndu Chuks= onye hausa/fulani

You people need to get a life and stop hallucinating about ndu_chucks.  There is only ONE ndu_chucks on NL. Nchara, egbe ndi Israeli piafuka gi isi, ewu ofe mmanu.  

Onlytruth:
Still on the way forward. . .

I decided to make my own suggestion regarding the style of government best suited for a Biafran nation.
IMHO, I think that Japanese style or Israeli style of parliamentary system would suit a fast growing and fast changing country that Biafra will be.
It would enable us to keep the cost of government low as well as be able to change prime ministers very quickly.
I don't mind having 6 prime ministers in one year like it happened in Japan sometime ago.
The presidential system is too expensive and prone to corruption.

Have you consulted with your Governors, State reps, and LG officials on this matter? These superiors of yours, and leaders of your people, do not want a biafran nation.

I wonder whether some of the N1.52billion was used to finance Wammako's comeback. Could that be why Wamakko commended the former acting governor for successfully piloting the affairs of the state, describing him as an honest and dedicated person who has the interest of the state at heart?  

No takers?

There is an unforgivable level of laziness inherent in the idea of breaking up Nigeria and the proponents of the idea. If anyone can convince me that a peaceful separation can take place, I'd be an instant convert.  Making me a convert is very simple - lets hear your responses to the following initial questions:

[list]
[li]Itemize how our shared assets will be divided amicably among the various nations (Ports, offshore assets, corporations owned by Nigeria and those which Nigeria owns 30% or more equity)[/li]
[li]How many nations will Nigeria be divided into?[/li]
[li]Why is complete separation preferable to federalism with 100% resource control (inland resources only)?[/li]
[li]Do we return Abuja to the Gwaris who we seized the city from in the first place?[/li]
[li]How do we checkmate the thieving elite from every part of Nigeria who are bent on maintaining the status quo at all costs? [/li]
[/list]

nagoma:
Borno state area - 70.898 sq km
Enugu state area - 7.161sq km
Abia   State area - 6.320 sq km
Ebonyi State area - 5.670 sq km
Imo state area.    - 5.1 sq km
Anambra state area- 4.844 sq km.

Total Area SE  = 29.095 sq km.

Which is 41% of the area of Borno state's 70.898 sq km. ( that is much less than half of Borno state)

Those Igbos who are calling for biafra are in major denial. They still think that the population of Nigeria is 50million as it was back in 1966, little do they know that it would be almost impossible to relocate a minimum of 20 million Igbos to the SE without some sort of population reduction scheme or some other Ijaw land encroachment mechanism.  

My people remain in denial.

[img]https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/648223_rak_jpg3be10a689dcae3eda0158a90666e866e
[/img]

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]Ndu_chucks, I will ask you another question today and it is - Do you believe we all have a right to decide our destiny?[/quote]I hope you understand what you are asking.  The answer to the question once again is the trivial answer. What is not trivial is the fact that the "we" in your question may not choose the same destiny as you do. Most of the Igbos here at home in Nigeria, a majority of  who reside outside of the SE, do not want the country to be broken up and do not share your belief in separation. The noisemakers on this particular issue are residents of diaspora.

And ezeokwu, the average Igbo is busy making a living in every part of Nigeria and would prefer not to be turned to a stranger or a second class citizen in the East.

[quote author=Onlytruthlies link=topic=885573.msg10329286#msg10329286 date=1330895379]
As for Hausa/Fulani, you can only make friends with them if they are gaining more from you. If you insist on fair play or win win relationship, they would not continue that friendship. I'm talking as someone who lived in Kano.

BTW make sure you keep at least a dagger or hunting knife while dealing with aboki because you'll be sorry if a misunderstanding happens and you are caught unprepared.  [/quote]This is the kind of ignorant generalization which makes you a bigot and a fool, dan tselewa.

[quote author=Onlytruthlies link=topic=885573.msg10329233#msg10329233 date=1330894924]
Please let's stop all these cheap lies. It doesn't help at all.
ndu_chucks is as Igbo as Adolf Hitler is a Jew.
I don't know what gives you the impression that because someone has a DISTANT genetic link with a tribe, that it qualifies them to claim that tribe. The last time ndu_chucks volunteered some information about his origins, he claimed 25% Igbo. There are people who are 100% Igbo who still deny being Igbo. So, please scrap that idea.
Ka ji ko?[/quote]Please define who an Igbo person is. What  percentage of Igbo blood would render a person Igbo and how do you maesure this percentage? olodo

The sad truth is that you focused on feeding your bigoted appetite and ignored the points NorthSharp was making. You do this at your own peril, as usual.

P.S. I'd suggest that you people stop romanticizing my ethnic origin. It suffices to say that I, like the great Ikemba (RIP) speak at least 5 Nigerian languages including the three major ones fluently. I also have the blood of the three major tribes flowing throw my  veins. I am a proud Nigerian, shikena. 

To Keep Nigeria One Is A Task That Must Be Done. Anything else would be too costly, senseless, suicidal, and result to ethnic cleansing the likes of which has not been seen since Rwanda.

Imagine what would happen if we go our separate ways and Arewa nation demands that everyone should return to their country to apply for a visa if they want to live in Arewa.  It would result to a disaster the likes of which, the narrow minded among you are yet to contemplate, because the population of the southern nations would triple over night. That is when the killings will start.

A word is enough for the wise.

To Keep Nigeria One Is A Task That Must Be Done. Anything else would be too costly, senseless, suicidal, and result to ethnic cleansing the likes of which has not been seen since Rwanda.

A word is enough for the wise.

@Sam_Ikenna, I predict that you will be tempted to become a NL bigot in the next 6 months, for now, me like your ways.

Ogbonaikenna:
Mr Ndu_Chuks, do you know about this: United Nations General Assembly Declaration of 13 September 2007 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples whose Article 3 grants the indigenous peoples specifically the right to self-determination and especially the right to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development?

Does this UN declaration prevent you from making your plans for a referendum known? Why the secrecy?  Since you are very knowledgeable about the UN, would you please provide the UN definition of treason and sovereignty?

My patience is running very thin with you and you are one silly post away from being called one name or the other.

Ogbonaikenna:
Another question for Mr Ndu_Chuks: has the Scottish first minister Mr Alex Salmond committed an act of treason by calling for a referendum?

I don't think calling for a referendum in of itself is an act of treason. As I told you earlier, I doubt that the referendum will ever take place but time will tell. Even if it takes place, it can be rejected by the parent country.

Let me make this very clear: I do not give a rat's arse what the Scottish people do or whether they vote to seek independence. In light of this I am no ;onger going to answer any of your silly questions about the Scottish people.

Stop being a coward by hiding under Scottish skirts and come out boldly and state your own plans. Where is biafran referendum proposal?

The security operatives did a good job in protecting the President and other important attendees. The crowd was getting ready to overrun Ikemba's compound and cause mayhem before tear gas and other tactics were used to get the situation under control.

MASSOB was conspicuously absent in any recognizable form or regalia and there were no biafra flags anywhere near the procession. Kudos to the great Nigerian Army for a well executed duty.

^^^^^^

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna link=topic=883858.msg10322766#msg10322766 date=1330796480]I will never sit down to discuss Nigeria solution if we start by saying somethings are off-limit. What makes you think the ultimate goal of every Igbo or Easterner is dissolution? Even if it is, so what? If I'm right, don't we own Nigeria? or is it the other way round?

In real sense Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Isoko, Ijaw, Ibibio, Berom, Tiv, Ogoni, etc. created Nigeria, they are all older than Nigeria hence Nigeria has no right to tell them what to discuss. Nigeria did not create us, we created it therefore we should discuss anything we want to. That's the way it ought to be.

Saying we cant discuss something is like setting us on a slippery slope. What if say ,  we decide today to gang up against one small ethnic group with crowbars and machetes, does it mean that group is doomed? No way out for them?

We own Nigeria, everyone of us is a stakeholder in it so if we agree to make it work you better believe it will, but we will not succumb to intimidation or blackmail to give it our allegiance.

Personally I don't want to use Visa to go to the north, I want to go there, learn their culture, eat their food, and come back alive - that's one Nigeria. I would want to go there and look for work, go to church, drink my beer, or smoke my cigar ( not that I do those anyway but u catch my drift) and come back alive - that's one Nigeria. If I cant do those things or if my life is not guaranteed because I ventured into Borno or Bayelsa then what is one Nigeria?

I'll be glad to join in salvaging Nigeria if there is hope but I will not let my people die because I love Nigeria, there has to be an option. Remember that what almost brought Nigeria down the first time was all the senseless massacre of Easterners in the north and, believe me, what will eventually bring Nigeria down again is the same but this time its going to be indiscriminate massacre of any available group (I hope we dont get there).

No one likes to lose loved ones in such barbaric way. I know Nigeria can always wobble with silly economy but not with massive loss of lives. We need to understand and agree that if people lose lives on a massive scale then they're justified to go, we cant hold them under "one Nigeria" because then they will bring out the worst in them. If Hausa, Igbo, Isoko, Ijaw, Yoruba, Efik, Ibibio, etc  understand that their interests are intertwined with one another then you know we have achieved One Nigeria. As long as we're always looking for ways to drive the other to extinction we wont have peace.

Lets put all options on the table, I believe we can find solutions that will make us respect each other. What will keep us together is love and respect for eachother not intimidation.[/quote]Your chances of actually getting an opportunity to sit down and have this national discussion or SNC is almost nil, to be honest with you. You should jump at the opportunity to have the SNC with the stipulated condition. I say the chances are almost nil because just a few days ago, both the House of Representatives and the Senate rejected calls for a SNC.

You people are better off, learning how to work within our laws and constitution, how to form coalitions with common interests, and fighting for your interests through the appropriate channels. I personally do not believe that a SNC will serve your interests because the same people who rule you now will hijack the agenda. The Federal Government, led by Azikiwe Ebele (GEJ) has advised those calling for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to consider the security challenges in the country. It said the process could be hijacked by mischief makers to propagate their selfish agenda and destabilise the nation.

If you decide to have a conference which excludes your leaders in the NASS, the outcome will have no meaning. If you try to use violent means, they'll throw you in jail or kill you. So why waste your time?

I'd appreciate some clarification on this issue by those of you that can provide it, I really need to understand the issues here. What the OP posted seems a bit complex to me.

TO ensure regular and adequate supply of electricity to their citizens, state governments have been given the nod to collaborate with relevant distribution companies with a view to providing electricity.

In doing this, the governors, however, have to seek permission from relevant authorities.

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which gave this directive, said that they should be ready to make capital contribution which would be secured and on terms agreed with the distribution company.

[list]
[li]States can now invest in distribution companies[/li]
[/list]

The NCP said the assets thus acquired would become the property of the distribution company but would be wholly utilised within and for the benefit of the citizens of the relevant state.

The NCP said the state would receive compensation within the ambit of the extant tariff methodology. “Excess capital costs, if any, will be borne by the state government. Any investment by the state will not attract any interest payments by the distribution companies,” NCP said.

At the NCP first meeting for 2012, held on February 27, at the Presidential Villa, the council endorsed that the percentage of equity that state governments hold in a distribution company will be determined through independent valuation of actual investments by the respective states in the distribution network.

Blue Text:
[list]
[li]Is it possible to use assets of distribution companies (Poles, transformers, wire lines etc) which are located in a particular state for the benefit of the citizens of any other state? [/li]
[li]The assets thus acquired would become the property of the distribution company but how the company uses its own asset will be controlled by the government. Not sure I like this idea[/li]
[li]Wouldn't it be better to support already approved distribution companies with easy access to capital and even grants to enable them to manage their businesses without the intervention of state governments? Governments should not be running corporations, they will only introduce unnecessary inefficiencies.[/li]
[/list]

Brown Text:

[list]
[li]What exactly does this mean, would someone break this down for me?[/li]
[/list]

Green Text:

Why can't the federal government provide incentives to investors to partner with these distribution companies. If the issue is the capital, then the government should create the environment which would open up access to infrastructural capital. Give these companies low interest loans or outright grants and let them run the business and be profitable.

The NCP approved that 60 per cent of the shares of a distribution company be sold to core investors to allow state governments to participate in the bidding consortia but limit the overall federal and state government shares to 49 per cent.

IMO, the federal and state governments should not own a single share of these distribution companies. We already know that governments do not do very well in running corporations. Was that not why these organizations were privatized in the first place? Government should allow these companies to make hefty profits so that it becomes very fashionable to operate a distribution company. Allow them to operate tax free for the next 10 years if possible. That will be a good way for the government to invest in the sector.

Am I being naive?

You spoilt everything by not being gracious enough to thank non-Igbo Nigerians who participated in giving Ikemba a befitting send off. I'm not surprised anyway. ewu can beer

Ogbonaikenna:
if England will not use force against Scotland, then why would/should Nigeria use force against Biafra?

I don't know whether England will use force, I've told you that I don't think they would. Are you people planning a referendum on independence? If so, you have learnt nothing from the last time you tried to secede. Is biafra now synonymous with Scotland?

Ogbonaikenna:
if England will not use force against Scotland, then why would/should Nigeria use force against Biafra?

Are you not aware of the fact that force has already been used against biafra in the last civil war and biafra lost that war? It appears you are not yet sober.

cap28:
Because Ngozi is a world bank stooge whose job is not to develop and industrialise nigeria but to open nigeria up for the further economic exploitation of her paymasters in Washington.

the chinese are offering loans to african countries on much more favourable terms than the debt slavery terms of the IMF and the World bank but many of these offers are being blocked by WAshington by threats of military invasion and economic sanctions.

If you want to be taken seriously, you should provide evidence to support your wild claims. You sound like a conspiracy theorist .

Ogbonaikenna:
Ndu_Chuks, do you think England will use force against Scotland should in case they vote for a full independent from Uk in 2014?

No. I do not believe that the referendum on independence in the autumn of 2014 will take place at all.

BTW, Ewo lo kan mi ni'inu oku Iya Adele? wettin concern me with the burial of Adele's mother?

cap28:
nigerians are the only oppressed people that i know that consistently argue in defence of their oppressors.

the nigerian govt cant invest in building of refineries because it is currently enslaved by IMF conditionalities which control and dictate nigeria's economic policy - all of which was made possible by Okonjo Iweala and Obasanjo in 2006.

If the Nigerian government cannot invest in building refineries because of IMF enslavement, what is the cause of the government's inability to maintain existing refineries? IMF?

May I remind you that a private company has just completed a refinery in Imo state which should come on line soon. Most of the financing came from a Chinese bank.  While Ngozi and others were running around asking the Chinese for billion dollar loans a few weeks ago, why didn't they negotiate for the financing of refineries since IMF is blocking alternative financing of such projects as you claim?

Beaf: It is best for us to kick Shell out.
The Chinese have been building refineries all over the place without bringing up stup!d and insulting excuses. When it was time to kill Saro Wiwa, they didn't make any excuses.

Investing in building a refinery in Nigeria is a business decision for Shell whose primary duty is to protect shareholder value and to enhance it. They should not build anything if it will negatively impact their shareholders (Business 101).

The Chinese companies on the other hand are owned by the Chinese government and their interests are political rather than being business interests.

The real question is, why can't the government invest aggressively in the existing refineries and bring them to 70 capacity?

Katsumoto: Ndigbo and other Easterners paid the price in blood for the actions of a few. Rather it is former Nigerian leaders such as Gowon who owe Ndigbo an apology for their inability to protect INNOCENT civilians during the pogroms before the war. Lets be fair here.

I don't think Dudu_Negro's comments, which you responded to, focused on the lives lost during the pogroms before the war. He was commenting on the civil war.

Regardless, I wholeheartedly agree with you that the relatives of those defenseless Igbos who were innocently killed during the Araba pogroms are owed an apology, at the very least, and some sort of reparations because the government of the day failed to protect them. 

By the same token, apologies and reparations are in order for the relatives of the leaders who were murdered in cold blood, and others, by the Nzeogwu Chukwuma led coup. If Igbo leaders offer their apologies to the Northerners for the action of their sons, which resulted in the killing of Sardauna and others,  the healing process would be well served.

[quote author=Dudu_Negro]As long we continue to idealize and practice a Western styled mode of governance and socio-economic principles, we will never eliminate corruption from our midst.   Thi is so because Western philosophy itself has transformed and evolved into a new world order in which the rules of capitalism is the mainstay of political civilization and advancement.   Capitalism is not ideal for any society that has a moral conscience.   Capitalism and democracy are married couple. . . . their babies are the corrupted politicians.   This is so everywhere in the world and culture where democracy and capitalism is practiced. 

So to resolve our problem we need to ask if we want democracy and capitalism or not.  If we want it, then we should get used to breeding more corruption. [/quote]Are you suggesting that because we have democracy, we should not fight to reduce corruption and get used to breeding more of it?  If so, you are being very unreasonable and should not be allowed anywhere close to decision making in government.

[quote author=Dudu_Negro]You speak as if you have a benchmark for this supposed 30%.  What successful model exist out there?  NONE!!   America is the vanguard of capitalism and democracy. . . and it is the worst corrupted nation on earth.  Their corruption is a million times worse than Nigeria's.   They don't even attempt to mitigate it. . . . .they sustain it by getting more people into debt.  When people refuse to take debt they create racket at local levels to harass and throw them in jail.  How about Europe?  Not any better!  So where is the model for a 30% reduction in corruption?  The only way to reduce corruption is to promote moral conscience. As we have seen, what is moral for Igbo may be immoral for Yoruba. . . what is moral for Yoruba may be immoral for Hausa.   So to serve self-morality, each ethnic group need to go its own way.[/quote]I disagree with the bolded above.  I believe the long term approach should include the promotion of moral conscience starting at the elementary school level.  In the short term, if we have willing leadership, we can significantly reduce corruption by enforcing our laws, and making corrupt leaders and others pay the hefty price as required by law.

BTW, which system of government would you propose for the hypothetical O'dua nation?  If its not democracy, how are you going to get rid of the capitalists among you - The Tinubus, and other billionaires?  Are you a commie?