Dissertation on "Alternative Energy and Changes in the Pattern of Economic Development the Case of Lagos Nigeria"

Dissertation 35 pages (11334 words) Sources: 35 Style: Harvard

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Alternative Energy and Changes

Alternative and Changes in the Pattern of Economic Development the Case of Lagos Nigeria

Over the last several decades, the international community has been focused on dealing with a host of economic issues in Lagos, Nigeria. The reason why, is because the country has been trying to deal with a number of challenges since gaining independence. However, many of these different kinds of programs have been proven to be ineffective. This is based on a number of different factors including: high amounts of illiteracy, the ineffective use of foreign aid programs, a lack of foreign direct investment, security issues, crippling deficits, frequent power outages, a lack of planning in infrastructure / transportation, political instability, failing to address the needs of many communities, police / military brutality and failing to enforce the law. These different elements are important, because they are showing how various programs that have been enacted are ineffective of dealing with these underlying challenges.

As a result, our research is indicating that the status quo is failing to address the root causes of these problems. Over the course of time, this has meant that these issues are becoming more extreme, with one single commodity being main source of revenues for the region (oil exports). This has created vast disparities within society and in the economic development of Lagos. At the same time, the growth of the region has multiplied these problems exponentially. To deal with the issues it is recommended that a comprehensive approach is taken that will tackle these challenges head on. The most notable include: building capacity that will address the current / future challenges of Lagos, bringing in the public as a part of the process, increasing the amounts of transparency / accountability, incorporating more IT technology for different projects, not commercializing the different planning programs, improving governance, reforming education, enforcing the rule of law, creating more effective trade policies, dealing with human rights issues (i.e. police and military brutality), providing electricity / good sewage systems to poorer regions of Lagos and having politicians deliver on the promises that they are making.

Aims and Objectives

To focus our research, there are a number of different aims and objectives that we will be looking at to include:

The long-term impact of current economic development efforts in Lagos and Nigeria itself.

The kinds of programs that have been implemented by the status quo.

What types of possible reforms can be introduced that will address the problems facing the city.

The way these changes could deal with the current challenges in Lagos and Nigeria.

These different elements are important, because it will help to focus our research on how specific changes can be implemented and the way these transformations will address the current problems.

Introduction

Since becoming an independent nation in 1961, Nigeria has been facing a number of different challenges surrounding their economic development. What has been happening; is that the country has been dealing with a variety issues that have been causing this to take place on an uneven level. As, the nation has tremendous amounts of natural resources, yet the vast disparities among different segments of the population has been increasing at an alarming rate. In this case, most of their revenues are being generated mainly from the export of oil with very little emphasis on the on other sectors. Evidence of this can been seen by looking no further than the below table.

Nigerian GDP Growth by Sector

Sector

$ in Billions

% of GDP

Agriculture

$11.8

29.2%

Oil

$17.2

42.4%

Manufacturing / Mining

$1.7

4.2%

Government Services

$1.8

4.4%

Financial Sector

$0.4

1.0%

Trade / Private Services

$7.6

18.8%

Total

$40.5

(King 2003)

These different elements are important, because they are showing how Nigeria's economy is unevenly balanced. As, oil is: the largest industry and product they are exporting. While all of the other major sectors, are only contributing a small amount to the total GDP growth. To fully understand these disparities we will focus on the city of Lagos and possible alternatives that can be implemented. (King 2003)

This will be accomplished by looking at a number of different factors to include: conducting a literature review, examining the methodology that we will be utilizing, talking about these results / analyzing the various findings, establishing a conclusion to these findings, making specific recommendations and looking at the limitations of the study we are conducting. Once this occurs, it will provide the greatest insights as to: how effective alternatives and changes can be implemented in the economic development of Lagos. At which point, we will have a better understanding as to the way these kinds of shifts can be implemented throughout the nation.

Chapter 1: Literature Review

To fully understand how effective changes can take place inside Nigeria and Lagos requires examining how the economy is currently structured. At the same time, we must look at the challenges the country faced in the past and the way this impacting them at the moment. To comprehend these issues we will look at a number of different variables. Once this takes place, it will provide us with specific insights as to how these transformations in Nigeria are having an impact on Lagos itself. This will allows us to make inferences about these changes and way they are effecting economic development.

The source titled Nigeria (2011) provides us with a basic background about the past and current issues that are hindering economic growth. As, we are looking at timely information that was provided by: the CIA (through their World Fact Book). According to the information, Nigeria is mainly dependent upon oil exports for the majority of their GDP growth. As, this is providing the nation with: 90% of their capital reserves and 80% of their budgetary revenues. The below table is illustrating those countries that are receiving these different oil exports. (Nigeria 2011)

Top Oil Exporting Nations for Nigeria

Country

Percentage of Oil Exports

US

34.0%

India

9.8%

Brazil

9.0%

Spain

6.8%

France

4.5%

(Nigeria 2011)

These figures are important, because they are illustrating how majority of Nigeria's oil exports are to: mainly developed or rapidly developing nations. This has led to a current account surplus of $27.77 billion in 2010. (Nigeria 2011)

However, nearly 70% of country is living in poverty with large amounts of illiteracy in many parts of the nation. At the same time, the government has been known for massive amounts of corruption and political instability. Where, most regimes of the past have either been some kind of democracy that was elected by the people only to be overthrown in a military coup. At which point, different military dictatorships were imposed, that were known for their brutality. This has caused the massive amounts of oil revenues that are being received to go into the personal accounts of greedy government officials. At the same time, the country has taken on large amounts of foreign debt and had a percentage of this forgiven by a host of debtor nations. There have been recent attempts by the government to address these issues since 2008. The problem is that is still too early to tell if these kinds of programs are having any kind of positive effect on the nation. (Nigeria 2011)

The information from this source is useful, because it is providing us with specific insights about the past and current issues that are hindering economic growth. Given the fact that Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and principal port; this means that this will have an effect on efforts surrounding economic development throughout the region. As a result, this is helping to address the different aims and objectives. To include: the long-term impact of current economic development efforts in Lagos along with Nigeria itself and the kinds of programs that have been implemented by the status quo.

The source that is titled Fashola Signs Lagos Residents' Registration Bill into Law (2011) discusses current efforts to improve planning and economic development in Lagos. As, Governor Fashola signed bill that would give the state the power to: collect reliable data that can be used for a number of different purposes. These include the ability to gather information on: the demographics of residents within the community, health, security and financial figures. The way that this will be accomplished is with an agency being established to: collect and analyze the data that is being amassed. This will be used by: the Local Government Areas and Community Development Areas to ensure that all parts of Lagos have adequate infrastructure to deal with the various challenges they are facing. Commenting about what is taking place Fashola said, "First of all, it will help us to keep good records. As, every resident will now have a card with: a unique identity number that they will have for life. In this state no two numbers will be the same. So that we are able to keep data and with that, we have information where the government has the… READ MORE

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