Why Goodluck Jonathan Deserves Another Chance PT I - Dr Tomi Soboyejo

Goodluck Jonathan's administration diligently implemented its agenda for national transformation in priority areas that includes the expansion of national infrastructure, agricultural development, and education among others. His administration successfully negotiated a strong Common External Tariff, CET, agreement with the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and partners on the need to protect the country’s strategic industries from foreign domination.

As a result of his administration’s backward integration policies, Nigeria moved from being a net importer to a net exporter of cement, with its production capacity growing from just 2 million metric tonnes in 2002 to about 28.5 million metric tonnes today. In fact, for the second year running, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has named Nigeria as the No.1 destination for investments in Africa.

 Apart from the production of over 8 million metric tonnes of additional food during the year, his administration was able to bring inflation down to its lowest level since 2008 partly due to higher domestic food production. The country’s food import bill was reduced from N1.1 trillion in 2011, to N648 billion in 2012, which has placed Nigeria on the path of food-sufficiency.

While it is true that the present activities of Boko Haram, the terrorists in the three north-eastern states have become more deadly in mindless killings, kidnappings and supposed territorial seizures, government has made giant diplomatic strides with our neighbouring countries in order to checkmate the crisscrossing of the insurgents.

The Chibok girls kidnapping was very unfortunate and the girls non-release till date has impacted negatively on the administration of Goodluck Jonathan but we must remember his major economic strides.

He Signed into law the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill 2010 (Local Content Bill) which has increased Local Content in the Oil and Gas sector. And as a result of that law Royal Dutch Shell awarded a N7.8 billion ($49.9 million) contract to a Nigerian firm, S.C.C Limited, for the manufacture of high pressure line pipes that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm; providing employment for Nigerians.

Also as a result of this law, Exxon Mobil awarded an off shore platform contract to a local firm, Niger Dock Nig. PLC that would otherwise have been awarded to a foreign firm.

Goodluck Jonathan completed and commissioned Omotosho I Power plant; built from scratch and commissioned Omotosho II power generating plant; completed and commissioned Geregu power generating plant; and rehabilitated and upgraded the whole National transmission grid.

The first of its kind N1 two way transmission grid installed between Benin and Onitsha to prevent nationwide grid collapse like we have always had and completed the Power privatization and PHCN unbundled. Goodluck Jonathan paid off all workers of the former PHCN. Very soon, electricity will be totally improved in Nigeria.