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| H.E. Prince Frank Ukonga-The National Chairman of DA-Democratic Alternative Party advises the PM of the UK H.E. Boris Johnson on the Brexit- EU Relations |
Breaking News: H.E.Prince Frank Ukonga
DA-National Chairman Caution UK on Brexit.UK Exit from the EU as an Indicator
to Nigeria and Other Emerging Democracies:
Caution
on Brexit. UK exit from the EU as an indicator for Nigeria and other Emerging
Democracies:
The
Remarks of H.E Prince Frank Ukonga - National Chairman of DA Democratic
Alternative Party:
The
issue of Brexit is complex. In the '80s when I published my award-winning book-
"The Seething World” [You can access the E-Version on Google Books] I
warned the UK not to join the EU. Then I was based in Brussels and visited
London on many occasions. I was called all sorts of names by
the protagonists.
The UK joined
the EU with feet of Steel, Solid and more advanced than all other EU Countries.
She was sapped to uplift other EU Nations to
higher economic standards and used to achieve the comeback of Germany, France,
Holland and the PIGS states and countries of Eastern Europe and Asia
Tigers.
Today with feet of clay UK want an exit from
the EU that she built. So extreme caution is needed. Experts are needed to
strategize and forge out a new greater UK. The pull out should be given a 20
years moratorium.
The UK needs to come back to strengthen the
Commonwealth of Nations Union as her novae family of consolidation. This would
project her international imperatives more than being trapped and caged in the
EU, which was the advice I proposed over 25 years ago in my book.
This also needs time and planning. So the best
advice is that the UK should not Exit the EU in a hurry with feet of clay as
she risks collapse and become a failed state.
For Nigeria and other emerging Democracies of
the world, it is strongly advised to be cautious before entering into a Common
Economic basket, Currency, and customs Union. Countries should be wary of the
Customs and Tariffs/Market ties of other members of the proposed Union.
Countries with large markets and population
and perhaps with appreciable Gross National Product, risk the danger of
becoming a dumping ground for goods and services of other member Nations and
their allies in separate market/customs union. They also risk under development
of the local production and manufacturing industries, agricultural productivity
and economic malaise of Capital Exports and much more.
Nigeria and the UK share a lot in common. They
both have resources, large and wealth markets. Nigeria needs to study the UK
Brexit before entering into any economic union.
Also, Nigeria needs to get her act together
before entering any Market, Currency and Customs and Tariffs Union. Nigeria
currently has security Challenges and she needs to ensure peace, security and
congenial atmosphere for business and investment to thrive. She needs to ensure
stable and sustainable democratic dispensation. Ambitious infrastructural
development of quality Roads, Rails, Hospitals, electricity et al.
The
Agricultural Revolution embark upon by this administration need to come to
fruition. The Industrial Revolution of providing electricity signed with
Siemens by the govt to produce 25000 MW Electricity need to mature so that
manufacturing and production can pick up with the steady inflow of new
industries and FDI.
The
Dangote Refinery, modular Refineries and other industrial estates like
Kano-Sharada, Kaduna- Kakuri, Lagos, Ogun, Oluyole, Aba, Nnewi, Port Harcourt,
Abalaliki, Cross Rivers, Ajaokuta industrial clusters have to be given time to
rejig production etc. Nigeria needs between 5 to 10 years moratorium to
get her Act together before joining any market /currency union.
Market
Union means Market competition as you have to open your borders and market for
the goods and services of other nations in the Union.
It
is praiseworthy that the President of Nigeria has signed the ECOWAS Market
Union treaty and the African Market Union treaty in principle but we should
plead for at least 5 years moratorium before it takes off in Nigeria. So that we
can work to get our act together.
We need to put all tribal and ethnic
chauvinism behind us and unite as one Nation with one destiny and look into the
great future before us. There are hope and prospect for Nigeria to lead Africa
and be one of the greatest economic and industrial giant of the world if only
we can muster the courage to roll up our sleeves and work.
So all Hands has to be on deck when going into
an Economic Union. Gratitude
