The National Assembly of Nigeria: Effective Legislation for the Good of the Nation by Henley Media Group

COMMONWEALTH Heads of Government Meeting 2011

REFERENCE REPORT

Extract Featuring The National Assembly of Nigeria

Extract from report published by Henley Media Group Ltd.

Good Governance and Policy

Men and women queuing separately to vote in Haryana, India.

Dr William F Shija Secretary-General, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

Promoting democracy: the challenge of raising citizen participation The challenge of promoting interest in parliamentary democracy is changing. Parliaments in recent decades have focused on improving access for the under-represented, such as women, and the uninvolved – young people, the disabled and minorities, whether regional, economic, ethnic or religious groups. Today parliaments still seek ways to involve those groups; but now, faced with declining voting figures, they also strive to retain the interest of those who traditionally followed politics but are drifting away from parliament, political party membership and voting booths. One way to reach both groups is to make MPs more effective representatives of the people.

Declining public interest In recent decades, improved access was the focus of two major reforms to increase public involvement that were advocated by parliamentarians, promoted by the CPA and implemented by most parliaments and legislatures. Broadcasting parliamentary proceedings, on radio, then on television and now over the internet, has become common, as has the formation of House Committees which hold public hearings – often not just in parliament but also out in communities – to give the public a voice in government action on major issues, including in some places, the budget. But, using declining electoral turnout figures as a measure, improved public access has seldom maintained existing levels of interest, let alone expanded them. In the UK and Canada, about 80 per cent of voters turned out at national elections in the 1960s, about 20 percentage 64

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011

points more than today. Since 1952, the turnout of Indians at parliamentary elections has been stuck at about 60 per cent, despite rapidly rising levels of literacy, communications and development.

Using declining electoral “ turnout figures as a measure, improved public access has seldom maintained existing levels of interest.

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South Africa’s first two non-racial elections in the 1990s drew close to 90 per cent of the population; but 10 years later only 77 per cent of the registered voters and 57 per cent of people of

Good Governance and Policy voting age cast ballots. In the last two decades, the percentage of Malaysians of voting age who went to the polls has fallen 10 points to just over half, while in Jamaica it is just under half. Even in Kenya and Zambia, where the percentages have been rising, increases are small and at their last elections only about 55 per cent of citizens of voting age cast ballots. New Zealand adopted a new voting system from 1996 that gives small parties and minority interests a far greater chance of winning a seat; but voter turnout fell by 9 per cent from 1996 to 2008.

Improving performance to improve interest Many reasons are cited for the decline in interest, but one of the most common is that parliament and parliamentarians are ineffective. The CPA and its membership are therefore focusing not just on improving public, and especially minority, access to parliament but also on improving the performance of parliament.

Programmes to build “ majority interest must not do so at the expense of minorities.

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The CPA produced Recommended Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in late 2006, and its three regional variations produced to date give parliaments a standard against which to measure their processes to help them identify areas for reform. They help developing parliaments build new practices, and they assist developed parliaments to detect established processes that have been superseded elsewhere. The Benchmarks have, for example, emphasised that parliaments should set their own budgets, scrutiny should apply to government agencies and enterprises as much as to departments, and anti-corruption mechanisms should apply to legislators and parliamentary staff. The Pacific even called for limits on the size of cabinet so executive members do not outnumber other parliamentarians. Seminars, task forces and workshops also produce subject area guidelines to help make parliaments more effective by sharing experiences among members with extensive knowledge about subjects as diverse as climate change, the scrutiny of public spending, world trade and conflict resolution. These programmes join CPA’s ongoing work in promoting knowledge of the variety of parliamentary practices and procedures and governance throughout the Commonwealth to expose MPs and staff to different methods they could apply or adapt to help them to perform their duties more effectively. The Benchmarks, consultations on climate change issues, seminars on the operations of the World Trade Organization and guidelines on how parliamentarians can help steer their jurisdictions away from violent confrontations or escape from the conflict spiral offer all members access to good practice guides for dealing with parliamentary issues.

Minorities in democracy Programmes to build majority interest must not do so at the expense of minorities. The Benchmarks include provisions to protect the rights of minorities: providing them seats on committees, ensuring their votes are recorded and protecting their right of free association. The conflict resolution guidelines emphasise that revenue from extractive industries should be spread fairly throughout the community, especially to minorities living around the industries, as contemporary governance challenges lie in how to forge the development agenda across political divisions and between majorities and minorities.

There are several examples “where the winner-takes-all

system has completely shut down the contribution of minority or opposition parties.

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Although democratic practice gives the majority the right to govern, good governance must always allow the minority to participate in decision-making. This process includes the protection of human rights. The challenge is often to confront the reluctance of the majority to involve the minority in governance – a reluctance to the detriment of national unity and development. Democracy and governance will be better if minorities are embraced to bring about peaceful and effective development. For example, despite a ‘winner-takes-all’ first-past-the-post electoral system, majority political parties must never ignore the views of minority parties. Minority involvement can maximise the available human resources, minimise conflict and allow an equitable distribution of resources. There are several examples where the winner-takes-all system has completely shut down the contribution of minority or opposition parties, causing not only human resource waste, but also a recipe for violence. In young democracies especially, the winner-takes-all electoral system deserves to be revised in order for parties to have a useful sharing mechanism for policy suggestions.

Developing democracies “could use all-party groups

to repair the winner-takesall system.

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Some parliaments involve minorities not just in committees but also in ‘all-party’ parliamentary groups on a geographic or policy area. These groups seriously engage their members across political divides. In this way, when it comes to formulating development policies, or deciding on ‘development assistance’, the promotion of trade and investment, assistance in health, education, water supply and sanitation, or agriculture, they are usually fully united across Australia, 28-30 October 2011

Good Governance and Policy political parties on what their nation should do. Developing democracies could use all-party groups to repair the winnertakes-all system to maximise national unity and development.

which gives equal rights to the indigenous minority group. This is how democracy can be reinforced through the involvement of minority groups.

Respecting ethnic rights

In several Commonwealth countries, there are minorities defined by their geographical location. Due to underdevelopment and lack of communications infrastructure, some people are still confined to remote rural areas. This is prevalent in many parts of Africa and some parts of Asia. The lack of development projects and the lack of contact with public servants have often led to the view among minorities that governments were ignoring their development. Some groups turned to guerrilla warfare. The term ‘naxalism’, named after the Naxalbari uprising in 1967, is used in India for terrorism by groups pushed to separatism by the lack of development, as occurred in some of its north-eastern states. In some Commonwealth African countries, tribal violence has erupted when some tribes felt their development was neglected by leaders from other tribes. The Niger delta conflict in Nigeria and the violence in Kenya after the 2007 elections could be put into this category.

Democracy must also promote and protect the individuals and group minorities. In developing African Commonwealth countries, for example, modern political structures demobilised ethnic groups or tribes in the aftermath of four centuries of the gruesome slave trade and the chaotic partition of African countries. Some state boundaries divided tribes into halves, thirds or smaller sections. These divisions remain impediments in governance today.

To nurture democracy “and good governance, human rights must be guaranteed for all.

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In some countries, where construction of national unity has not taken place, the divisions remain sources of violence and conflict because some minorities feel discriminated against by larger ethnic groups. In developing democracies, it is imperative to promote parliamentary democracy to minimise the violence and conflict caused by ethnic divisions. To nurture democracy and good governance, human rights must be guaranteed for all, including minority groups. As an example of how a country could develop policies and programmes for minorities, in 2009 the government of Australia apologised to Aborigines for past ill-treatment and discrimination. It also promised to extend to them rehabilitative and promotional programmes as equal members of that society. The decision was widely applauded as a step forward in the treatment of minorities and in reinforcing democracy and human rights.

The lack of development “ projects and the lack of contact

with public servants have often led to the view among minorities that governments were ignoring their development.

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Canada has for some time used the term ‘First Nations’ for groups whom the Europeans encountered when they first settled there. The Canadian government has long recognised and respected the groups by enabling them to participate in their governance processes. We need to learn from their approach to democracy for minorities. In the Pacific, New Zealand’s original ethnic group, the Maori, have been welcomed into the democratic process. The result, among other things, was a positive land policy in New Zealand 66

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As the CPA celebrates 100 years of parliamentary evolution, and seeks to reinforce democracy, it will be increasingly useful to formulate policies that provide effective governance for all, particularly minorities, to resolve conflicts and prevent violence. Even if it fails to generate greater public interest and involvement, better governance will produce better societies for all.

Dr William F Shija has been the Secretary-General of the CPA since 2007. A member of the Tanzanian Parliament from 1990 to 2005, he served for eight years as a Minister and Regional Commissioner. After leaving cabinet, he chaired Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was also a Member of the Pan-African Parliament in 2004 and 2005. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) unites the Commonwealth’s 186 national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures to foster the professional development of parliamentarians and parliamentary officials, the evolution of parliament and the Commonwealth’s commitment to democratic governance. It works with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other intergovernmental agencies to give parliamentarians a voice in, and access to, international decision-making. CPA Secretariat Westminster House, Suite 700 7 Millbank London SW1P 3JA UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 Fax: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 Email: hq.sec@cpahq.org Website: www.cpahq.org

REGIONAL spEcIAL FEAtuRE: the National Assembly of Nigeria

National Assembly complex.

Nigeria: effective legislation for the good of the nation The National Assembly is the legislative arm of government for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Through its constitutional responsibilities, it seeks to look after the security and well-being of the people of Nigeria. This article looks at the functions and achievements of the Assembly. The law-making function is one of the essential pillars of any society. No human society survives in the total absence of laws. Whatever the social system, the conduct of affairs must be defined by certain basic rules. These rules must be made by an individual or group and then executed or enforced.

The law-making “ function is one of the essential pillars of any society.

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In a democratic environment, power belongs to the people who in turn elect those who are to carry out the task of law-making on their behalf. But in a despot power is directly exercised by the leader or assigned to anyone of his choice. 68

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In Nigeria today, the story of the legislature is intertwined with that of the executive and evolves from the larger history of the Nigerian national itself. Nothing better captures this evolution than the process of constitutional engineering in Nigeria, for it is these supreme laws of the land that provide guidance for law-making.

the National Assembly Based in the Federal capital of Abuja, the National Assembly is the legislative arm of Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is a bicameral legislature comprising a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, vests in the National Assembly the power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation. It exercises broad oversight functions on the conduct of government institutions and officials. It is also empowered to establish committees of its members to scrutinise bills and process

REGIONAL spEcIAL FEAtuRE: the National Assembly of Nigeria other legislative measures. As a bicameral legislature, a bill must be passed by both chambers in identical form to become an act of parliament. To be eligible for election to the National Assembly, a prospective candidate must be a member of a registered political party and contest election on its platform. Membership of the National Assembly is through direct election. It is the fundamental right of every citizen who is 18 years of age or above to vote in elections periodically called by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The constitution bars certain categories of Nigerians from contesting elections. They include among others, persons who have: • Acquired the citizenship of other countries • Been adjudged under any law of Nigeria to be of unsound mind • Been convicted or imprisoned for dishonesty, fraud or found guilty of contravention of the code of conduct.

the senate Membership of the Senate is based on the principle of equality of States. Three senators represent each of the States of the Federation; although the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja does not enjoy the status of a State, it is granted one Senatorial District and two Federal Constituencies. Therefore, there are 109 elected Senators from 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. The President of the Senate is the presiding officer of the Senate, whose primary role is to guide and regulate its proceedings. The Senate has the unique power to remove judges and other senior officials of the executive including the Federal Auditor-General and the members of the electoral and revenue commissions. This power is, however, subject to prior request by the President. The Senate also confirms the President’s nomination of senior diplomats, members of the federal cabinet, federal judicial appointments and independent federal commissions.

the House of Representatives The House of Representatives has a total of 360 members who are elected in single-member constituencies using the simple majority (or first-past-the-post) system. Members serve fouryear terms. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House. In contrast to the Senate, membership of the House of Representatives is based on the principle of population. However, the constitution empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review Senatorial Districts and Federal Constituencies at intervals of not less than ten years. There are 360 Members representing Federal Constituencies elected from the thirty-six States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively preside in the two Chambers, and in their absence, the deputies. The Bureaucracy of the National Assembly provides support services (i.e. administrative, financial, legal and advisory) to the legislators. It is headed by the Clerk to the National Assembly.

Recent history and developments Following the return to democratic rule in 1999, the National Assembly was faced with infrastructural and manpower challenges. However, these challenges are being vigorously addressed through the provision of adequate office accommodation, equipment and facilities. Capacity building programmes are regularly organised for members and staff of the National Assembly within and outside of Nigeria. Before the first meeting of a new Assembly, induction programmes aimed at acquainting members-elect of the National Assembly with the rudiments of legislative practice and procedure are organised. Also, legislators and staff have benefited immensely from Parliamentary Exchange and Attachment Programmes as well as study visits to the Congress of the United States of America, the British House of Commons, the Canadian Parliament, the South African Parliament, the Indian Parliament and the Parliament of Australia, among others. In this regard, we acknowledge the collaboration and assistance of our Development Partners: • The National Democratic Institute • Foundation for Democracy • European Union • United States Agency for International Development • African Capacity Building Foundation • The United Nations Development Programme.

Remarkable progress “ has been recorded in terms of the quality and quantity of legislation passed.

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As a result, remarkable progress has been recorded in terms of the quality and quantity of legislation passed. Examples of such legislation that directly enhance good governance include: • Freedom of Information Act • Fiscal Responsibility Act • Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act • Economic and Financial Crime Commission (Establishment) Act • Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act • Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act • Public Procurement Act • Anti Terrorism Act • Environmental Health Officers (Registration etc) Act. Furthermore, the National Assembly has successfully amended the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen the electoral process and enhance national stability.

Improving the economy The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers the National Assembly to appropriate funds for the execution of development projects and for the growth of the national economy. To ensure that funds appropriated for such purposes Australia, 28-30 October 2011

REGIONAL spEcIAL FEAtuRE: the National Assembly of Nigeria are judiciously expended and accounted for, the National Assembly through its committees, exercises oversight jurisdiction over Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Executive Branch of Government. The exercise of this constitutional duty has led to reforms in various sectors of the economy.

poverty Alleviation In 2001, the executive branch of government, in collaboration with the National Assembly, established a National Poverty Eradication Programme to address the vexed issue of poverty in the country. The programme is charged with the responsibility of co-ordinating and monitoring all poverty eradication efforts at all levels in the country. A direct result is the establishment of a Capacity Acquisition Programme designed to provide sustainable employment opportunities; create jobs and develop entrepreneurship; develop relationship between young entrepreneurs and financial institutions; and boost economic activities.

Recovery of unspent Funds In 2008, the National Assembly recovered the sum of three trillion naira it had earlier appropriated for capital expenditure overtime but not expended, and immediately directed its return to the National Treasury.

Labour Reform Act To promote industrial harmony, the National Assembly in 2005, enacted the Trade Unions Amendment Act to: • Promote the democratisation of labour and to further strengthen it; • Enhance choice for all Nigerian workers in the true spirit of the Constitution; • Comply with the International Conventions on Labour administration; • Consolidate the values of accountability and participation. The Act also conforms with the ILO Convention 87 which deals with workers right to freedom of association and the protection of the right to organise.

pension Reform Act

Anti-corruption crusade By 1999, all indicators had shown that the level of corruption had become frightening and had pervaded the national atmosphere. To address this situation, the National Assembly in 2000, enacted the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act to give legal bite to the anti-corruption campaign of the new civilian administration.

The reform process is governed “ by the principles of sustainability, safety and security of benefits, transparency, accountability, equity, flexibility, uniformity and practicability.

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Prior to the enactment of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the issue of corruption had led to a loss of confidence in the Nigerian nation by many Nigerians at home and abroad, due to the activities of fraudsters, corrupt public office holders and misgovernance by the elite class. On the international scene, Nigeria was blacklisted and isolated as a pariah state in which integrity and transparency were alien. To reinforce the earlier Act, the National Assembly in 2002, enacted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to among other things: • Investigate all financial crimes such as Advance Fee Fraud, Money Fraud, Counterfeiting, illegal cash transfers, futures market fraud, fraudulent encashment or fraudulent diversion of funds, contract scam, forgery of financial instruments and insurance of dud cheques.

• Adopt measures to identify, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from terrorist activities, economic and financial crimes, related offences or the properties, the value of which correspond to such proceeds. • Adopt measures to eradicate and prevent the commission of economic and financial crimes with a view to identifying individuals, corporate bodies or groups involved. • Facilitate rapid exchange of scientific and technical information and the conduct of operations geared towards the eradication of economic and financial crimes.

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In 2004, in order to eliminate the difficulties that had plagued the administration of pension schemes in Nigeria, the National Assembly enacted a Pension Reform Act to eliminate and redress the problems associated with the former schemes. The objectives of the Reform Act are to: • Ensure that every person who has worked in either the public or private sector’ receives his retirement benefits as and when due; • Assist improvident individuals by ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age and thereby reducing old age poverty;

International co-operation The Parliament of Nigeria belongs to the following parliamentary associations: • The Inter-Parliamentary Union • The African Parliamentary Union • Commonwealth Parliamentary Association • Economic Community of West African States Parliamentary Association • The African Caribbean Pacific European Union, Joint Parliamentary Assembly. To ensure the continued growth of democracy in Nigeria, the National Assembly welcomes the partnership and assistance of international bodies in areas such as: • ICT and e-government applications to ensure greater public value, efficiency and communication; • Capacity building programmes for assembly members and staff in areas of legislative procedure, planning, budget process, management, and good governance.

REGIONAL spEcIAL FEAtuRE: the National Assembly of Nigeria • Ensure that pensioners are not subjected to untold suffering due to the inefficient and cumbersome process of pension payment; • Establish a set of standard rules for the administration and payment of retirement benefits in the public and private sectors; • Stem the growth of outstanding pension liabilities. The reform process is governed by the principles of sustainability, safety and security of benefits, transparency, accountability, equity, flexibility, uniformity and practicability. The scheme is fully funded and contributory based by the employers and employees. It is operated through individual accounts that are privately managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) with the pension fund assets held by Pension Assets Custodians (PACs).

Ratification of Treaties The National Assembly has from 1999 to date ratified the following Treaties, Conventions and Protocols: • Treaty to Establish the African Union (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004; • The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004; • United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • Treaty to establish African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament (Accession and Jurisdiction) Act, 2005. • Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Government of the Republic of South Africa (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • Treaty between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe on the Joint Development of Petroleum and Other Resources in areas of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the two States (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the Federal Republic of South Africa (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • United Nations Convention on Carriage of Goods by Sea (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • Treaty to Establish Rotterdam Convention on the Prior informed Consent Procedure for certain Hazardous chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2005. • International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971 as amended (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2006. • The International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2006.

the way forward In order to improve on the achievements of the past, the 7th National Assembly (2011-2015) has adopted a legislative agenda designed to: • Initiate a new order that fosters transparency and efficiency in public expenditure management; • Restructure management and functions of legislative committees for enhanced productivity;

• Implement e-parliament blueprint that elevates the National Assembly operations to international best practices and ensures public access to parliamentary information and processes; • Review legislative branch budget in line with the requirements of openness, effectiveness and accountability; • Review the constitution in all relevant areas in line with the aspirations of Nigerians; • Engage actively with other arms of government to restore public order and national security; • Institutionalise mechanisms that facilitate effective engagement with various stakeholders including constituents and civil society organisations (CSOs).

The National Assembly, as “ the first arm of government, is

determined to effectively use its constitutional responsibilities.

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The National Assembly, as the first arm of government, is determined to effectively use its constitutional responsibilities for the security and general well-being of the people through effective legislation, oversight and representation.

Sen. David A.B. Mark, GCON President of the Senate

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambawal Speaker, House of Representatives

Salisu A. Maikasuwa, mni Clerk to the National Assembly

Office of the National Assembly of Nigeria National Assembly Complex Three-Arms Zone P.M.B. 141 Garki, Abuja Nigeria Website: www.nassnig.org

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Good Governance and Policy

A view over Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

His Excellency President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

Nigeria: a nation in transformation Following his election victory in April 2011, Nigeria’s President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan speaks exclusively to Sylvia Powell, editorial correspondent for Henley Media Group, on his vision for Nigeria’s political, economic and social transformation. Despite some challenges, the conduct of the recent general elections has been widely acclaimed. What lessons will you draw on and build from to consolidate these democratic gains and ensure Nigeria’s future as a multi-party democracy?

While we welcome the commendations which we have received on the success of our last general elections, we are well aware of the fact that although the elections were rated by local and international observers as being considerably better than past elections in Nigeria, we still have to work very hard before the next national elections to address any remaining deficiencies in our electoral system.

Economic diplomacy “ will also come more to the fore in our relations with other countries.

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My Administration is fully committed to doing everything possible to build on the success of Nigeria’s 2011 elections to further enhance the legitimacy and credibility of our democratic institutions. We will, therefore, continue to work in close collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that we move elections in Nigeria further along the path of globally acceptable standards 90

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011

by evolving workable solutions to problems which persist in our electoral system. Africa has historically been the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, ranging from playing a sustained role in peacekeeping efforts through to the establishment of ECOWAS. Under your helm, what will the focus of Nigeria’s foreign policy be and what role do you envision Nigeria playing on the wider global arena?

The interests and well-being of our people and the people of Africa will remain a key focus of our interactions with the global community. In keeping with our current national realities, however, economic diplomacy will also come more to the fore in our relations with other countries. We will make a renewed concerted effort to deploy our foreign policy as a vehicle for domestic economic growth and development by, amongst other things, using it to attract greater direct foreign investment to our country and generally support our Administration’s efforts to boost economic diversification and industrialisation. Globally, Nigeria will remain a positive force for peace, collective security and political stability in West Africa, Africa and the larger international community.

Vision 20: 2020 aims to propel Nigeria into the top 20 global economies by 2020. Given your government’s aims to diversify the economy away from its dependence on oil and gas, which sectors have you identified as being central to achieving this goal?

Good Governance and Policy We are looking primarily at agriculture and manufacturing. Our country has enormous potential for agricultural production. As a matter of fact, agriculture used to be the mainstay of our economy before the commercial exploitation of our oil and gas resources began. Since we assumed office in May last year, we have been doing everything possible to boost agricultural development in the country and we will continue to do so going forward. We will continue to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks in the country to increase funding to the agricultural sector.

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Since we assumed office in May last year, we have been doing everything possible to boost agricultural development in the country and we will continue to do so going forward.

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through the adoption of various public-private partnership (PPP) models in critical areas such as power supply, road development and maintenance, rail and air transport. We have also established a National Concessionary & Regulatory Authority headed by a former Head of State to oversee our efforts in this regard. Could you please outline some of the incentives and initiatives that are in place to stimulate and support private sector participation in Nigeria’s economic development and industrialisation?

We are working on creating conducive conditions for the private sector and the manufacturing sector to thrive. Our focus is on providing essential infrastructure such as stable power, reliable water supply and an efficient transport system, supported by a vibrant financial sector; plus a taxes and tariffs regime that provides adequate incentives to attract more investors to our manufacturing sector. Our initiatives for the power sector are fully on course and we will continue to build on our achievements in this area.

Increased private “ participation and investment

We are also improving irrigation facilities across the country and working through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to provide vital support services and inputs for farmers in the country. Our Administration is also committed to doing everything in its power to boost large-scale commercial farming in the country and encourage the establishment of processing factories that will feed on the products of these large-scale farms. We are also implementing plans to make Nigeria the undisputed hub for gas-related industries in Africa within the next three years. As a nation we have been blessed with abundant natural and human resources. Through dedication and national unity of purpose and cohesion, I fully believe we can achieve these aspirations.

Nigeria will remain “ a positive force for peace,

collective security and political stability in West Africa, Africa and the larger international community.

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The availability of basic infrastructure is crucial Q to the development of any economy. Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is estimated at US$100 billion. This potentially offers substantial opportunities. How crucial would you say private sector participation/investment is in addressing this shortfall? Increased private participation and investment is indeed essential for the success of ongoing efforts to address our national infrastructure deficit. That is why we are doing everything possible to attract greater private sector participation in this area of national development

is indeed essential for the success of ongoing efforts to address our national infrastructure deficit.

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We are also forging ahead with the implementation of the power sector roadmap which I launched last year, the key element of which is attracting private sector investment and know-how to our power generation and distribution sector. Previously, Nigeria’s power sector was entirely in the hands of government but now it is being deregulated. Power generation and distribution are being privatised while the federal government retains control of transmission for the time being with the involvement of private sector consultants. Ultimately, we hope to privatise power transmission too. In addition to the foregoing, we are also pursuing educational policies that will result in the creation of a vast pool of skilled workers for the manufacturing sector. Oil prices recently reached US$120 per barrel. With Nigeria achieving production levels of over 2 million barrels per day and together with the success of the Federal Government’s peace efforts in the Niger Delta, this has meant increased revenues to Nigeria’s national treasury. What plans do you presently have in place to ensure the judicious application of this anticipated windfall?

It is true that there is some increase in our national revenues, but I would not really describe it as a ‘windfall’. We currently import a significant proportion of the petroleum products used in Nigeria and we pay international prices

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Good Governance and Policy for these imports. We also subsidise the prices of petroleum products for our people. So it is like receiving additional revenue from oil importers with one hand and giving it back with the other. We hope to overcome this problem by building more refineries and eventually deregulating the downstream sector of our petroleum sector. Nonetheless, a key element of our plans to judiciously apply any leftover additional income from higher oil prices is the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Power generation and “ distribution are being privatised while the federal government retains control of transmission for the time being.

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An executive bill for its establishment was recently passed by our National Assembly and signed into law by me. Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund will provide a legal institutional platform for the judicious management of future oil windfalls to replace the excess crude account which has been criticised by many stakeholders. What is your core message for the international corporate and political leaders that will be attending the 2011 CHOGM in Perth and potentially looking to partner with Nigeria in its socio-economic growth?

My message to them is that our Administration is totally committed to serving the people of Nigeria to the best of our God-given abilities. We intend to forcefully drive our agenda for national transformation to ensure that Nigeria makes visible progress in the next four years on all indices of human development. Our goal is to leave behind visible achievements in the areas of public infrastructure, power supply, industrialisation, agricultural development, healthcare delivery, education, security of lives and property and youth empowerment.

To achieve these targets, we will need the help and assistance of all our friends in the Commonwealth and the larger international community. We are working very hard to make foreign investors more welcome in our country than ever before.

Sovereign Wealth “Nigeria’s Fund will provide a legal

institutional platform for the judicious management of future oil windfalls.

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I urge entrepreneurs and investors from all the nations of the Commonwealth and the world to come and join us in a partnership to fulfil our vast economic potential with the assurance that they will reap bountiful rewards for their efforts.

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President Jonathan with David Cameron during the British Prime Minister’s visit to Lagos, Nigeria in July, 2011.

I would also like to remind potential investors and development partners that with its population of about 150 million people, Nigeria has one of the largest markets in the world. We are doing all that we can to encourage local production of items for which there is a huge domestic demand, and we will continue to promote greater industrialisation and the manufacturing of these items in our country to make them more affordable for our people. In this regard, a very attractive package of fresh incentives is being introduced by my Administration for companies that accept our invitation to participate in the rapid expansion of our domestic manufacturing capacity.

Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, is President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he was elected Vice President to President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007, having previously served as substantive Governor of Bayelsa State. In February 2010, he was empowered as Acting President by the National Assembly, after President Yar’Adua’s long absence for medical attention in Saudi Arabia. After the President’s death, Dr Jonathan was sworn in as President on 6 May 2010. His presidency was confirmed by the election in April 2011. Website: www.nigeria.gov.ng Sylvia Powell is Assistant Editor for Henley Media Group.