The’ CAABA’ model of reconstructing local economy of the Niger Delta Region was proposed by prof. Ambily
Etekpe of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island reports Amos Odeh.
Against the backdrop of the fact that Nigeria economic system cannot continue to rely on oil revenue because for another 50 years the nation, S oil is expected to dry – up, the country should start to prepare for the post – oil era to begin by 2067.
In order to save Nigeria from reliance on oil as her mainstay, a university Don, Prof. Ambily Etekpe, Head of department of political science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, has proposed the ‘ CAABA ‘ model which is Communal – agro – allied – based agricultural model as a recipe for reconstructing the devastated local economy of the Niger Delta Region.
He stated this at the 24th Inaugural Lecture of the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island in Bayelsa state.
According to him, the’ CAABA’ model is formulated as a compass for Nigeria to survive without oil by 2067 when the crude oil is expected to dry -up or the price of oil will become so ridiculously low that it would no longer sustain the local and national economies in Nigeria.
He said ” the signs are already there, especially as the developed countries are fervently searching for alternative energy to fossil. Thus, the model is a conscious measure to prepare the region / country out of the pending doom without oil ”
He posited that the CAABA model which is hinged on agriculture that plays pivotal role in reconstructing the already disarticulated local economies.
That is, increasing agricultural productivity to produce food for Consumption and available raw materials for domestic SMEs and export thereby reducing poverty and unemployment, adding that, the starting point of the proposed model is the improvement of subsistence farming and fishing with emphasis on palm oil and kernel, cassava, plantain, rice, yam, livestock, vegetables, raffia, catfish and shrimps which the Niger Delta Region have comparative advantage.
Also when religiously encouraged to live within their farm settlements or nearby village so that they will not only secure the farm, but equally boost the local economy.
Also this can be extended to fishing rights of lakes and the fishes caught may be smoked by fire wood, sold fresh to middlemen, preserved in cold room to be retailed or sold as processors for canning. ” In course of this, the young farmers will attract the attention of governments and development partners for financial and technical assistance ”
Besides, he averred that it is worth emphasising that those who do not want to be directly involved in farming may form CO – operatives for agro – allied businesses and apply for financial support from micro – financial institutions. These cottage industries that will spring up from these agricultural ventures will have ample multiplier effects and create about 2.6 million new jobs for the 22.4 million unemployed people in the region in the first one year of the programme
He further added that it would stimulate economic growth and interface with government agencies such as the Nigerian Content Development Board to bring about implementation of the content laws which provides for the employment of people in the local communities, the organized private sectors automatically becoming stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, financial assistance for agriculture, cottage industries and co – operatives for communities that are impacted by Multi National Oil Corporations, converting payments of compensations by MNOc to establishment of farms, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development centres and Organized Private Sectors, monitoring oil and gas activities in the region.
Another agencies worthy of collaboration with by the erudite lecturer who has bagged many awards and memberships of both local and international bodies ,include the Agriculture Project Monitoring and Evaluation Unit ( APMEU ) of the Federal Department of Agriculture established in 1975 to render technical assistance to farmers to improve their performance and effectiveness.
The model also liaise with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for produce/product from CAABA model to be exported to African, European and American markets.
He disclosed that some states of the Niger Delta Region aware of the need to diversify the economy has initiated some moves. These are Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. The model, according to him has taken off in one form or the other in some of the BRACED states.
In Rivers State it was known as school – to – land where unemployed school leavers were gathered and given one month orientation training and at the end of it they were deployed to different parts of the state based on the comparative advantage of specific crop.
In Delta state former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan came across his preliminary reports on CAABA model when he launched the programme of Delta Beyond Oil in 2014.
He explained that the thrust of that program was the Delta State providing the needed support , encouragement, specialized interest free loan dedicated to micro small and medium businesses.
He said though there is no doubt that at the beginning of the implementation of the proposed model , there are bound to be challenges , but they are surmountable through prolong value orientation and rigorous campaigns.
Hence, he suggested that if the Federal government can solve the problems of the local economy and rural development, the issue of militancy and insecurities will be minimised in the region and there should be a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of the Niger Delta Region, S environment because without environmental protection, agriculture and it’s allied ventures will not survive.
He also proffered that there is an urgent need for steady electrification to preserve and store the farm produce and when the indigenous people become Co – owners and actively involved in oil ventures where their land and resources should be valued as equity contribution so that the local people can effectively monitor and control the activities of the oil producing companies operating in the region.
He also advocated for a regional economic grouping. Already BRACED Commission had been formed by Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa – Ibom ,Cross River, Edo and Delta state. What is needed is these states to resuscitate it and emulate the OOdua Group in south – West and the AREWA Consultative Forum in the Northern Nigeria and the BRACED Commission should not be allowed to be killed by politicians governors.
He further stated that the BRACED commission has to be driven by private sector operatives as against the present crop of politicians With different political differences driving it in order to take an holistic view of how the region would resuscitate the local economy to absorb about 22.45 million unemployed persons, especially youths and this will reduce poverty from the present 75 percent.
” There is a strong relationship between CAABA model and the economic survival of the region without oil ” he opined.
