ONE important outcome of rationalisation must be emphasised. It will, as we have hinted, lead to the emergence of powerful monopolies, duopolies, or oligopolies. This is welcome, only provided two things are done. Firstly, government must set up appropriate machinery to regulate, and exercise close surveillance on the perations of these monopolies etc., in order not only to preclude them from abusing their powers, but also to ensure that such powers are used for the benefit of the entire economy. Secondly, government must take immediate arrangements to enter into share-capital participation in certain types and categories of rationalised enterprises, businesses, and industries which remain in private hand and increase such participation, as rapidly as practicable, until the enterprises, businesses, and industries concerned are fully socialise The limiting factors to share-capital participation and eventual socialisation will be discussed under Section 15 below.
- Nigerianisation of Productive Activities
It is common place that only the nationals of a country can absolutely be trusted to make their country great and free. There is abundant and concrete evidence of this truism all over the world: . Germany, USSR, USA, Britain, Japan, People’s China, etc. Similarly, it must be admitted that only Nigerians can be absolutely trusted to make Nigeria great and free.
The needs of Nigeria, especially at this point in its history, call for discipline, dedication, patriotism, sacrifice, and absolute loyalty 0n the part of those who are expected, in their various spheres activities, to reconstruct it, and put its feet, firmly and unerringly, 0n the road of rapid economic and social progress.
We do not doubt the competence of our foreign friends. They are here to do legitimate business; they make substantial profits for themselves, and in the process, help to advance our fortunes. But only Nigerians can and should be expected to bring to bear, on 0ur urgent and titanic problems, the sterling and rare attributes to which I have made reference. What is more only Nigerians can be wholly trusted to work with selfless dedication to conquer this land of ours for socialism, and make it a place where social justice shall reign supreme. The present civil war has demonstrated, beyond any doubt that Nigerians can be trusted to make any kind of sacrifice to make their country great. Where some of the required attributes are lacking in some Nigerians, these can be successfully and very quick inculcated in them. But no one can ever hope to succeed in inculcating patriotism, dedication, etc., for Nigeria in strangers within our gates. It must be pointed out, however, that these great attribute, indispensable as they are, need to be heavily impregnated with moral discipline, and with administrative, managerial, and technic competence, before the task of nation-building can be properly and satisfactorily accomplished by Nigerians for Nigerians.
It is, therefore, imperative and in the best interests of all concerned that everything should be done to see to it that Nigerians acquire the requisite discipline and competence, with the utmost possible speed compatible with efficiency and thoroughness. For us to drag our feet, on this matter and to continue, without a clear prospect of early termination, to rely heavily, as we now do, on foreign assistance, in the organisation, management, and control of our industries, business enterprises, and productive activities generally, is to ask for plenty of trouble in the present, and to ask for it in much larger measure and prolific abundance in the future.
The economic self-reliance, for which Nigerians ardently yearn, connotes self-sufficiency or voluntary interdependence not only in the supply of material goods, but also in the provision of qualified, in competent, and disciplined manpower at all levels and in all spheres of human endeavour.
We lose much-needed foreign exchange on imported consumer goods which can be produced at home, as well as on the importation or of foreign know-how which we can, with planning, rear and cultivate on locally. On the latter alone, our overseas payment in 1968 must be of well-nigh £9 million. But, we lose much more than can be measured in terms of ‘foreign exchange spent on imported manpower. By leaving the organisation, management, direction, and control of our economic enterprises, and productive activities generally, in the hands of foreigners, we merely change our political bondage for economic shackles, and submit ourselves, albeit imperceptibly, to a permanent assault and grievous harm to our nationhood, and to our self-respect as a people and as individual Nigerian citizens.
It is for all these reasons that I advocate, very strongly, the immediate introduction of training schemes designed to ensure the total Nigerianisation of the management and control of all productive activities in Nigeria, within the shortest possible time.
For the avoidance of misunderstanding, I would like to stress that the key-phrase here is ‘ all productive activities.’ This expression embraces all activities which help to satisfy human wants. This being so, it must be admitted that, right now, there are certain activities which Nigerians can take over from foreigners, immediately, completely, and competently, without any threat or antithesis to these socialist programme which we are about to embark upon. Some of these activities include the distribution, as distinct from the manufacture, of goods (that is, wholesale, retail, and petty trades), Importation and distribution of specified classes of consumer goods, red and road transport of all kinds. I hasten, however, to add that, under the new dispensation, road transport, import business, and wholesale distribution of goods will have to be regulated and rationalised, in the feet manner already outlined under the preceding Section. The role which the Government itself would play in these enterprises will be dealt with under the next Section.
To be continued
and then