Yenagoa—Engineer Karim Abi Chmouni is a civil engineer from Lebanon. He is the Deputy Managing Director of Paache Construction Limited headquartered in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
In an exclusive interview with Mangrovepen.ng, Kareem lent his voice on the current security situation in Nigeria as well as the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region.
Read excerpts from the interview:
How long have you been in Nigeria?
I have stayed in Nigeria for more than 8 years.
How would you describe Nigerians?
Nigerians are very peaceful people. If you know how to approach and talk to them, they will give you the best out of them. You must know how to deal with them. Nigerians are very delicate. They have suffered a lot, so they are strong people.
How would you describe the suffering of Nigerians?
The country lacks the basics of life like light, water, good healthcare, effective security system. All these can be provided when the people in power put more effort. It can be done. It’s not rocket science. Besides Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa.
Why did you choose to reside in Bayelsa?
My brothers were in Bayelsa so when I graduated I came to Bayelsa to follow up on the family business. Bayelsa is a nice place to live. I love the place and the people especially for their hospitality.
What challenges have you faced as an expatriate living in Nigeria?
In the beginning, it was hard for me, coming from a different country and region; but I was able to manage everything.
Thank God I can call myself a Bayelsan and an Ijaw man. I have been here for a long time now so I’m familiar with the system and the Ijaw language too.
Sadly, I was kidnapped in January 2018. My brother was also kidnapped. So insecurity is the main problem we face.
What do you think the government or the people can do to curb the security challenges?
To me, I think two or three things will solve the security challenges. Number one is education. Once the people are educated they will not go on this path again. So I believe if everybody is educated they will be thinking of another way to get income than kidnapping people.
Number two is that the youths need employment, they need jobs. Especially in the Niger Delta where the oil comes from. I believe that will be a way to provide job opportunities for the youths.
What do you think is slowing the pace of development in Nigeria?
Many challenges are facing the whole world and it affects Africa and Nigeria. In 2014 when the crude oil price went down to $27 that affected Africa especially Nigeria and it badly affected the economy. When the price went down there was no way to do anything again.
From 2014 and 2015 things were very bad for Nigeria. Every week our suppliers changed the price of raw materials because of a hike in fuel price.
Another thing is that there must be a plan; not a four years plan or eight years plan. Look at Dubai, look at Saudi Arabia, they do ten to twenty years plan. How can we manage the country if there is no crude oil?
For instance, there is a plan now in Saudi Arabia: if by 2050 they don’t see any income from crude oil, they’ll rely on other income. That’s what Nigeria is supposed to think about. Nigeria has to start thinking that one day this oil will finish. And start planning for it.
What can Niger Delta leaders do to develop the region?
You know the terrain of Niger Delta is not easy and that is one thing impeding the development of the region. To reach many communities you have to build roads and bridges. The first step of development is infrastructure. Once you build the roads, people will start building houses.
The second important thing is the power sector. Most of the natural gas is just flared and burned. If they can convert the gas and feed the gas turbines it will be good. Gas is everywhere in the Niger Delta. It is cheaper to generate electricity compared to a nuclear power system.
Once you have light, once you have roads, what do you need again?
