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Abdullahi Adamu’s Korean initiative
INUWA BWALA
IN the face
of obvious constraints, South Korea in the past two decades has grown into a
cynosure of technological development and trade. The country has also evolved an
economy with the propensity to rival leading world economies. It is therefore a
truism to say that, South Korea is a technological model for other countries
that were hitherto even more endowed than Korea.
There is no doubt that South Koreans in
their quest to revolutionise their technology and economy have often exhibited
rare ingenuity in their initiatives and inventions, often to the envy of many
others. While in Nigeria the approach had often been lackluster, the example of
Korea presupposes that Nigeria has a lot to copy from South Korea. It was
perhaps with this at the back of his mind that, Dr. Abdulllahi Adamu, Governor
of Nasarawa State, established links with companies that were in the vanguard of
Korea’s technological evolution, with the hope of transposing the Korean model
in Nasarawa State.
Amongst such companies were the Korea
Trade Investment Promotion Agency, KOTRA, established since 1962, and vested
with the responsibility of maintaining international trade balance, and building
a self-reliant economy for South Korea. For 45 years, this agency has been
involved in the development of the South Korean economy through trade promotion
activities, such as market research services and business match making.
Governor Abdullahi Adamu also established
links with Yooshing Engineering Corporation, Seoul, an engineering and
consulting firm established since 1966. This company has designed and
constructed numerous projects both in South Korea and beyond, in the area of
transportation, like highways, railways, airports, subways, ports harbours and
bridges. In the public utilities sector, it has constructed water works,
sewages, dams and general environmental constructions, in addition to urban
planning and designs.
South Korea is particularly noted for her
ingenuity in the construction of Dams for generating electricity, supply of
water for residential and industrial uses as well as for irrigation purposes.
The Soyanggang Dam located in Chunchom on the Ham River, about 250kms North of
Seoul, the country’s capital is said to be one of the most ambitious projects of
the century amongst other numerous such projects across Korea. The electricity
generating capacity of the dam has been put at 100,000 Kw x 2, with an annual
energy output of 353 x 10 Kwh/year. This is far in excess of what Nigerian power
plants generate all put together. That electricity is central to the industrial,
economic and technological development of a country is not in doubt. It
presupposes therefore that Korea is ahead of Nigeria because of sufficient
energy supply to run her industries.
The Korean industrial, economic and
technological development is today the envy of many countries, given adequate
supply of electricity to sustain the tempo of development. Back home in Nigeria,
the government, the sole provider of electricity has expended a lot on the
energy sector in the hope that the decay that characterised the energy sector in
the long years of military rule could be arrested. In spite of the huge
investments, electricity supplies has continued to degenerate, with barely
sufficient supply to light our homes and not talk of running our industries.
Given the continued decline in the
electricity sector in Nigeria, I think it will be foolhardy for anybody desirous
of fast and rapid industrial and technological take-off to continue to rely upon
the national grid. It was with this at the beck of his mind that, Dr Abdullahi
Adamu, governor of Nasarawa State conceived the idea of an Independent Power
Scheme, Farin Ruwa Hydro-Electric Power Dam project.
It is on record that, after wide ranging
consultations, culminating into a summit on the need for a development paradigm
for Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Adamu fashioned out a blue print for the
rapid development of the state. Part of the blue print recommended the turn
around of the energy supply to the state, in the face of a declining national
supply for the support of industries that will spring-up.
In the past five years, Governor Abdullahi
Adamu concentrated on a gradual public enlightenment on the imperatives of the
power plant, while perfecting formalities for funding and legalising the
concept. Between April, 26, 2004, and 8th May, 2004, Dr Abdullahi Adamu led a
powerful delegation of eight technocrats to South Korea for the adaptation of
the Korea Strategy. His choice of South Korea could better be appreciated within
the context of the success of the Korea power project built across the River
Ham.
While critics see the visit to Korea as a
jamboree, the eventual signing of the contract for the construction of the Farin
Ruwa Hydro-electric plant have put to rest, any controversy about the sincerity
of Governor Abdullahi Adamu in building a Nasarawa State beyond the imaginations
of critics. Of course, the fact that Yooshing, Engineering, the pioneer Korea
construction giant won the contract was a testimony to the fact that the project
was already a success based on YOOSING’s antecedents.
Governor Abdullahi Adamu, while presenting
the 2004 budget to the state House of Assembly outlined the prospects of the
Farin Ruwan Hydro-electric plant. He said that while the site remains an
international tourism centre, the fall had the capacity to originate a power
project, based on feasibility reports, as means to reposition the state. The
Assembly has meanwhile via hitch-free approval, given the governor the nod to
source for the funds required to execute the project.
Of all the projects so far conceived or
executed by Dr. Abdullahi Adamu, the Independent Power Project remains the most
ambitious and the one after his heart given the projects propensity to
kick-start the industrial take-off of Nasarawa State. One thing worthy of note
however, is the fact that, the governor has already established whose some
industries whose take off will rely on the Independent Power suppy.
Far beyond the visit by Governor Adamu,
and members of the Farin Ruwan Hydro-electric power dam project, for the
purposes of on the spot assessment of the capabilities of the Korea companies to
successfully execute the project, there lies even a greater advantage. While in
Seoul Korea industrialists and businessmen had sought and were received in
audience by the governor, where the possibilities of establishing various
manufacturing companies and other businesses in Nigeria, particularly in
Nasarawa State, were discussed.
Dr Abdullahi Adamu while discussing with
the various groups that met him, attempted to brief them on the prospects of
joint partnerships between Nigeria and Korea, even as he preached on the
favourable business climate in the country, courtesy of democracy. The
discussions were encouraging, and it is hoped that very soon the discussion will
translate into concrete business agreements.
Nigeria’s Minister Chancellor to South
Korea, Alhaji Abbas and Nigeria’s Commercial attachee Mr. Bashir Shuaibu had
confirmed to Dr Adamu when they visited him in Seoul, that, South Koreans have
become more enthusiastic to do business with Nigerians since the advent of
democracy, and since the working agreement between Nasarawa State Government and
Yooshing became a reality and have promised to become the arrow heads of future
Nigerian/Korean trade friendship.
Speaking about its impressions on the
Korean visit, Governor Abdullahi Adamu said, he was encouraged to complete the
Independent Power Project because of the enthusiasm and commitment both parties
have exhibition in the process leading to the signing of the contract for the
project. He was even more determined given the fact that studies have showed
that, when completed the project will propel Nasarawa State into international
economic reckoning. Governor Adamu was also of the opinion that his contact with
Korea has opened a new vista in his state’s trade relation, even as it has
served as a new link for partnership between Nigeria’s and Koreans.
Governor Abdullahi Adamu said, he was so
impressed with what he saw in the various places he visited. Recounting some of
his experiences, he said, he was flattered by the reception accorded his
delegation by officials of the Yooshing Corporation. The Soyanggang Dam in
Chunchhom of Gangwom District was so fascinating, especially as he watched the
graphic display of the activities of the Korean Water Corporation, the
irrigation part of the dam and most importantly the processes of power
generation and distribution.
"I have no doubt in my mind that our
initiatie to start this project and our choice of Korea were right moves in the
right direction and our people will be the happier for it when completed. We
feel satisfied that we have started off the state on a sound industrial and
economic footing and we feel proud that the signs of this project’s completion
are visible", the governor maintained, as he stressed the need for greater
cooperation between Nigeria and the Korean trade-investment promotion agency,
KOTRA, which has the propensity to expand Nigeria’s trade links.
On his return to Nigeria, Governor
Abdullahi Adamu took members of the Executive Council on a mental excursion of
Korea, while briefing them on his trip. As the design and construction of the
Farin Ruwa Hydro-electric power project commences in earnest, the visions of
Governor Adamu becomes clearer. Those who failed to give him a chance of
succeeding are beginning to change position, while the team he choose to work
with has been beating its chest. Perhaps, the Korean magic may afterall be the
Nirvana for Nasarawa State.
When electricity shall be switched on at
Farin Ruwan Power Plant, when all the dormant potentials of Nasarawa State shall
be awakened, perhaps, then shall the full impact of Governor Abdullahi Adamu’s
Korean initiatives dawn on the citizenry. For now, all fingers are crossed.
•Bwala is the Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity to the Governor of Nasarawa State.
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