allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Chinese Investments in Country (Page 1 of 1)

In recent times, quite a lot has been said and written about the presence of Chinese investors in Africa . The West is clearly worried not just about the rate of China's growth within a global context, but also about the movement into Africa. The media in the West have made it their business to air news reports, commission documentaries etc on what they describe as the "Chinese incursion into Africa ". While some may feel that the concern of Europe and America about the large-scale investments is all politically-motivated yet, on a closer look, a few valid questions are raised. One of the pertinent questions is "Is Africa getting a fair deal from the agreements signed with Chinese investors"

One documentary aired by the BBC World News Network examined Chinese investments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia . The reporter investigated the solid minerals sub sector and asked if the Congo was getting a fair deal in return for agreeing to a Chinese company explore some of its rich mineral resources. He went to and fro between the site for the proposed railway project and government officials trying to establish if all was above board and that the Congolese would be the ultimate beneficiaries. At the site for the proposed railway project, we watched (perhaps in amusement) how a Chinese engineer's way of communicating with the Congolese worker was through gesticulations. It was clear that there was a language barrier between the Chinese engineers and the Congolese labourers. Typically there was little interaction between the visitors and their hosts. They had their accommodation far removed from that of the locals and very few members of the team spoke the official language of French. Next stop was copper-rich Zambia . The reporter combed through a remote part of the country trying to locate the stadium the Chinese investors were said to have promised to build as part of the deal to being allowed access to mineral resources.

The Chinese are crawling all over Africa; oil is said to be a big driver of their investment policy hence Nigeria has a fairly sizeable Chinese community within her boundaries. No doubt we need all the foreign investment we can get. Newly released figures from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) say 3.34 million are unemployed. Chinese investments have the potential to provide much needed jobs, generate employment, creation of wealth and boost economic development. It may be true that they are not here out of any sense of love for us, but hunger for our resources to sustain their own economy and rate of growth. Therefore we need in local parlance to "shine our eyes" and make sure that we as a nation get the best deal from their investment drive. We must demand the best for our communities and shun any processes that are inimical to our development. This however requires a form of patriotism that turns a blind eye towards any personal gain. It requires an eye that sees beyond the immediate minute and instead sees the brighter gains for the generality of the people in the long term. The question is "Is this a realistic sacrifice that we are all willing to undertake"?

Chinese enterprises and businesses must focus on production processes and not importation. This may be the tricky one. Everything possible should be done to ensure that this is adhered to in any partnership that is entered into with Chinese investors. It is very common to find cheap and poor quality goods being dumped on our markets. Although importation of goods may not the only factor that has harmed our local manufacturers and industries, but it has contributed in no small way. The ban on importation has not worked due to the lack of commitment on the part of the enforcing agencies.

Hence partners and hosts of Chinese companies and firms must insist on a process that would be beneficial to the local community. Why sign away the future of our youths into the hands of foreign investors. When signing those juicy agreements our leaders, businessmen and entrepreneurs must think 'Nigeria First.' Our collective interests should be paramount not that of the foreigners. When the Americans or the British sign trade agreements and pacts, they put the interests of their nations first. The economy and the number of jobs such agreements will secure always and always come first.

It is comforting to know that some host state governments have unveiled comprehensive "Local Content Policies" which are devised to save their corporate interest. In Ogun State for instance, the Government has made it clear that foreign investors must factor in local people and contracts in their activities. The policy also provides that unskilled labour must from the local environment, while employment of foreign workers is only permitted when local expertise is unavailable. Furthermore the policy seeks to increase economic activities, boost capacity building for local firms, encourage technology transfer and help the growth of small businesses in the State. Sharing of skills and transfer of technology are also strict conditions for foreign businessmen and entrepreneurs.

In a bid to forestall a situation in which wild gesticulations become the means of communication between the Chinese investors and the local populace, the Ogun State Government is exploring avenues to introduce the establishment of a Chinese Language programme at the Tai Solarin University of Education. According to Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyesiku "work on the curricular for both certificate and degree programmes is nearing completion".

Some have called for a coherent strategy for dealing with China and that books should be written and studies conducted on China from the Nigerian perspective. One however thinks that the answers may not necessarily be found in the books and studies but more in us as a people. As stakeholders in the Nigerian project we all owe it to our nation to put her interests first and play our part in ensuring as we do not sink under bad policies, unpatriotic deeds etc. manufacturers should be shouting themselves hoarse to make sure that our markets are no longer flooded with products that can be made here. Chinese firms and enterprises must be read the riot act on their business and work ethics and it should be made imperative that whatever partnership they enter into must be beneficial to both parties. If we as a people truly want economic empowerment and growth for our nation then we should demand win-win partnerships from foreign investors.

As far as infrastructure investment is concerned it should be an absolute no-no for Chinese firms to arrive with their own work force, build a project and leave. As they are building up a community with infrastructure they should equally empower its people with skills too.

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