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Critical Appraisal of Nigeria’s Fiscal and Budget Management System
(National Institute Kuru, 2001-11-30) Sufi, Sani Ahmed
Budget and fiscal management system is one of the key elements that have a determinative impact on the quality of development process of a nation. This critical role of the system must have informed the painstaking efforts of the present administration in Nigeria to find ways to reform the system, and strengthen its capacity to activate the economy to provide for the developmental needs of the national society. This study is intended as a contribution to this governmental initiative. The general objective is to provide a critical overview of the macro economic framework upon which the national budget and fiscal management process are formulated so as to identify areas of weaknesses which may need reform. The data for the study is collected from government reports and other documents pertaining to national development plans and budgeting process. The study also derived a lot of information from interviews conducted with government officials concerned with fiscal and budget matters. On the whole, the study highlighted that reforming the budget system must be targeted at four major problem areas namely the country's fiscal dependence on oil revenue and its volatility, the external debt overhang, the huge budget deficits and uncontrolled public spending. Reform initiatives are also required on the conduct of the budget process itself, especially in the areas of capacity building for budget personnel, computerization of budget inputs and processes as well as inter institutional linkages and collaboration. Finally, the study recommended the establishment of Federal Stabilisation Fund for oil windfall, aggressive pursuit of debt conversion programme and transparent administration of the budget and fiscal system.
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Political Economy of the State Creation in Nigeria: Rivers and Bayelsa State as a Case Study
(National Institute Kuru, 2001-11-30) Oworibo, Oworibo
On October 1, 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain, it had a tripodal regional structure. These were the Northern, Eastern and Western regions. Since then, the internal composition has been changed six times starting in 1963 when the Mid-Western Region was carved out from the Western Region. In 1967, there was the first military-mediated state creation exercise when 12 states were created out of the then four regions. Subsequent state creation exercises increased the number to 19 in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991 and the current 36-state structure in 1996. Reasons advanced for the creation of new states have varied with time. In the early years of the nation-state, demands were motivated by the need to allay fears of the domination of ethnic minorities by the majority ethnic groups. Further demands were fuelled by the attempt to redress the imbalance in the federal structure; ensuring rapid economic development among ethnic groups; equity and fair play; bringing government closer to the people and for political stability. The changing reasons given at the different times states have been created, indications to the fact that there are other underlying reasons not mentioned. The study has shown that the dominant reasons also include economic factors, which are the decisive formative influences on social life. The elite clamour for the creation of additional states for the economic gains derivable from such access. The often advanced reason of bringing development to the people has begun to raise doubts as most states only wait for federal allocations, most of which they use for recurrent expenditures, thereby leaving the areas undeveloped. This is why today, many of the 36 states cannot provide all the essential amenities for socio-economic stability of their states. Observers of the nation's growth and development therefore watch with rapt attention the justification behind the several exercises carried out on the number of states created between 1967 to 1996. To stem the tide to further agitations, good governance has been identified as the primary panacea. Good governance here is taken to mean adhering to the constitutionally provided federal character principle in making appointments and distribution of amenities.
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Harnessing the Potential of Nigeria’s Herbal Medicines: the Role of Government Agencies and Standardisation
(National Institute Kuru, 2001-11-30) Omotayo, Rufus Kayode
The use of herbal medicines in health care is becoming increasingly popular all over the world, even in the developed countries such as Europe and the United States of America. China and India have successfully integrated the use of herbal remedies into their health care systems. The ability of these countries to successfully harness the potentials of their herbal medicinal resources remains a strong challenge to Nigeria whose heavy dependence on importation of orthodox medicinal products and their raw materials is a burden on the nation's economy and its health care delivery. In Nigeria, herbal medicines form the core of traditional medicine that is still widely patronized by over 70% of the populace. It is the aspect of traditional medicine that is amenable to scientific investigation and assessment unlike the spiritual and occultic aspects. The strong appeal for the patronage of traditional medicine is because it is more accessible, available and affordable than orthodox medicine. In China and India as well as in the developed countries, standardization of herbal medicines has reached a level that is comparable to that of orthodox medicines. This is not yet the case in Nigeria where the use of herbal medicines is still largely in the hands of traditional medicine practitioners. Most of these people are not yet knowledgeable about standardization of herbal medicines. This paper has, therefore, examined the roles of relevant government organisations and other stakeholders in achieving an acceptable level of standardization. The need for the conservation and sustainable development of Nigeria's medicinal flora in underscored by the fact that most of the herbs used by practitioners are sourced from nature, raising the fears of possible extinction of these species. The initiatives of Bioresearches Development and Conservation Programme in conservation activities remain some of the prospects for the nation's herbal medicine development programme. However, the absence of legislation for the implementation of the National Traditional Medicine Policy is a cause for concern. The challenges confronting the nation in its attempts to harness the potentials of its herbal medicinal resources may be formidable but certainly not insurmountable. It only requires a great deal of efforts, determination and commitment by the government and other stakeholders to achieve success as in some other countries.
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Committed Implementation of the Industrial Master Plan: a Must for Real Growth in the Nigerian Economy
(National Institute Kuru, 2001-11-30) Imianvan, Omobola Adeola
Between 1989 and 1991 the Guidelines for the Strategic Management of Industrial Development in Nigeria (SMID), otherwise known as the Industrial Master plan (IMP) was prepared and launched by the President. The Guidelines marked Phase I of the plan. Unfortunately, the other two phases were abandoned due to lack of funding and commitment by the government. Meanwhile, the IMP has been tested in countries of the Pacific Rim such as Korea and Malaysia, as is recommended by the United Nations. This essay analysed the various attempts since independence to achieve growth and development in the industrial economy. The botched attempt by Nigeria at implementing the Industrial Master plan was analysed through the activities (or lack of it) of the Strategic Consultation Groups set up to manage the twelve priority sub-systems identified by the IMP Guidelines — Foundry and Forges; Metal Fabrication; Cement; Sugar, Confectioneries and Beverages; Leather and Leather Products; Rubber and Plastics; Textiles and Wearing Apparel; Pharmaceuticals; Non-metallic Building Materials; Cereals and Grains Milling; Fruits, Vegetable Oils, Oil Seeds, Roots and Tubers; and Livestock and Allied Products. Information received from field survey and secondary data from the Federal Ministry of Industry, CBN and the World Bank show the similarities in industrialisation policies between Nigeria, Korea and Malaysia, over the last 40 years or so. However, while Nigeria remained a low-income nation, the other two have moved up into the medium-income group. The difference was mainly due to the successful implementation of the IMP in these two countries. The essay therefore called for a return to the Master plan and its full and committed implementation by Nigeria.
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The Nigerian Navy as a Facilitator of Maritime Economic Activities
(National Institute Kuru, 2001-11-30) Biobaku, Olukayode Oluwole
It is apparent that Nigerians in the past were unaware of the very crucial role of the NN in the facilitation of maritime economic activities, until the advent of crude oil as the principal foreign exchange source for the country. This lack of appreciation of the enormous potential uses of the sea stemmed from technological backwardness and the absence of maritime culture, coupled with the fact that marine activities are far removed from the glare of most Nigerians. But recent technological advancements have altered this apathy towards the oceans, with Nigeria now dependent almost entirely on oil exploration from the coastal waters for economic survival. Fin and Shell fish from the marine environment also provides cheaper protein to teeming Nigerians and holds promise as a viable alternative source of foreign exchange. Furthermore, abundant marine minerals such as manganese nodules, sand, gravel and tin among others are still unexplored. Besides, ocean transportation accounts for over 80 percent of Nigeria's imports/exports of goods, making the country almost dependent on this mode for the facilitation of economic activities. As a result of this growing prosperity from our waters, there have been upsurge in local violent agitations, illegal economic activities and other potential threats to law and order within the maritime environment. This study therefore assesses the capability of the NN as the principal facilitator of maritime economic activities. In this regard, an assessment of the current NN capabilities and the strategy employed against these emerging threats reveal obvious deficiencies in maritime policing operations. The problems include inappropriate and inadequate platforms, maintenance and logistics difficulties, and the absence of professionally trained, skilled and experienced personnel required for maritime policing tasks. Meanwhile, the issues of effective maritime law enforcement, and safety of navigation are identified as crucial to facilitating maritime economic activities. The NN would therefore need to improve its performance in maritime policing/Coast Guard duties through a balanced training doctrine that professionalizes not only purely military tasks, but also that of maritime policing. The enhancement of the NN maritime policing operations will need to be complemented by increased cooperation and interactions with other maritime players, particularly the law enforcement agencies. Ultimately however, a national ocean policy would be required to resolve the crucial problems of how the various elements of national sea power are coordinated. This is expected to produce the desired atmosphere for vibrant maritime economic activities in Nigeria.