The former National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Audu Ogbe, has described the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the World Bank as a “conspiracy” against the development of Africa.
He made the observation in Zaria, northern Nigeria at a one-day international symposium with the theme “Agriculture and Economic Aspect of Modern Bio-Diesel Crops, Castro and Jatropha”.
“SAP is the worst conspiracy against Africa, the consequence is with us. We are battling to move out of it, yet our economies remain stagnant.
“It is very sad to note that the general situation in Africa is bad and especially in Nigeria, cost of living is high, poverty has increased and our capacity to produce is zero.
“In Kano, commercial center of the north, about 360 industries have been shut down which implies that the future of industries in Nigeria is bleak. The more pressure on our currency to have value, the weaker it becomes.
“For Nigeria to actualize its dream of becoming one of the top 20 economies by the year 2020, special attention must be given to agriculture. The government must strive to modernize agriculture through mechanization,’’ he said.
Ogbe, a renowned farmer in Benue State, stressed the need for Nigeria to guard against over dependence on crude oil, and said the country should focus more on agriculture.
Source African Press Agency
