Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - John M. Corbin:The Enterprise of Fire Safety Services in Nigeria

Actually an interesting article, and I suppose the offensive opening was his contribution to the Independent Review's "provocative yet engaging" style or whatever phrase it is they use to justify gratuitous insults.

Strolling round Balogun market with some western retailers last week, they commented on how clean the market was compared to others that they had visited in Africa.  This was on a Tuesday, i.e. at the tail end of the cleaning week in Lagos markets which starts with their market-specific 'environmental' on Thursday mornings.  But those weren't the kind of 'markets' John Corbin was in town to push.

Ayo

I invite you to follow me on Twitter @naijama

On 1 Apr 2013, at 19:59, Ikhide <xokigbo@yahoo.com> wrote:

"Lagos State must surely rank among the ugliest large urban centers in the world. The city is filthy and dingy. Litter is strewn on nearly every street and roadway, and almost everyone litters without shame. Smoke rises incessantly from vehicle exhaust and trash fires. Rusty signs, often badly in need of repainting, are commonplace. A clean bathroom with soap and running water is considered a marvel.

On top of all of this, the area is incredibly hot and humid, especially in the dry season, with 100 percent humidity and temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Centigrade, making life very unpleasant. Fans and air conditioners are wonderful, at least when there is electricity to run them. The power goes out many times during the day because the state-run facility simply cannot cope with demand. Nigeria is still plagued by yellow fever and malaria, too… "

- John M. Cobin is a professor of economics and public policy at the Universidad Andres Bello in Santiago, Chile.

http://www.independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_17_03_04_cobin.pdf

 Sigh… We have suffered in this world. *cycles away slowly*

- Ikhide

 

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