Bob Dewar

Towards achieving the Arms Trade Treaty

The UK's goal to achieve an international Arms Trade Treaty reminds me of the extent to which small arms- as well as more sophisticated weapons- are damaging peace and development in Africa, not least in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The UK has been supporting efforts to stop the flow of small arms across the whole of the West African region, including into Nigeria.

Unfortunately gangs are still able to get small arms and to use them to try to extort money by illegally 'bunkering' crude oil or by kidnapping innocent people. Of course there needs to be development and better governance and human rights (the communities in the Niger Delta need to see the benefits of the oil and gas revenue produced in their areas) and a political settlement and a cease-fire and better security.

But the illicit arms trade, often financed by proceeds of criminality or drugs, is helping prevent a breakthrough. Young people everywhere in Nigeria need development, training, education, jobs. They need a better life, not guns.

Posted at 15:29 17 June 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

House of Commons Committee visits Nigeria

The international Development Committee of the House of Commons are here to review the DFID programme in Nigeria and also to look at urban poverty. What better way to start than to look at the issues facing Lagos, the mega-city of West Africa and one of the largest in the world. Urban poverty is often forgotten in Africa but ever more people are migrating to cities looking for a better life.

Lagos has particular issues because it is very low-lying near the sea. Transport provides special problems- there are already some amazing motorways over the swamps. Affordable housing and other services are also needed on a large scale.

The UK through DFID is already helping the State to fast track legal processes in courts and land registry. Basic issues for development. But one real headache confronting the city right now is how to plan best for sea level rise in the face of global warming. We want to help the dynamic State government in confronting such challenges.

Posted at 08:57 16 June 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Important issues for the private sector

Held a reception in Lagos to mark the Queen's official Birthday. Well attended by leading opinion formers in this, West Africa's key commercial hub. Focused my speech on important issues for the private sector including international standards (and how British links can help introduce those) transparency, regulation and further progress on economic reform.

Also underlined the need to make a determined push against corruption and crime. There's a movement towards quality here in the banking sector following a predominantly locally influenced correction last year, which reflected the need to introduce full international standards of transparency and regulation.

Posted at 15:02 07 May 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The rainy season has started

Back in the swing of things in Abuja after the FCO’s Leadership Conference in London and Easter.  The rainy season has started – huge storm in Abuja at the end of the week.  The meetings in London were very useful including with the Nigerian community who were predictably mostly interested in visa issues.  Also had a good meeting with West African Business Association (WABA) members.  International economic crisis is having an impact on Nigeria but there are still important opportunities and our Trade and Investment office are very active. 

Good to see that the England and Wales Law Association sent a trade delegation, (for the second year running) last week.  The way the legal system is intertwined with that of the UK is symbolic of the close relations in many special areas.  My own belief is that one of the best things we can do as British Government is to help Nigeria adopt international standards.  In fact the impact crisis on the Nigerian private sector has to some extent encouraged a move towards quality, including in the banking sector.  As customers get more choosy so it must be win-win for UK companies to offer highest international standards and corporate governance as part of the package.

Posted at 09:45 22 April 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The global economic crisis and Nigeria's response

An important theme for us in the coming weeks, following Prime Minister Gordon Brown's keynote statements before and during Davos at the weekend, will be to discuss the global economic crisis and its impact with Nigerian authorities, media and other key interlocutors.  The Summit to be held in London in April will provide a platform for reaching a shared international solution based on global macro-economic co-operation.  The plan is to work on how we think the world should respond to the challenges - encouraging internationally co-ordinated action to keep the world open for business, trade and investment and avoid "de-globalisation".  The focus on growth and jobs, a strengthened international economic and financial system and reform of the international financial institutions is of great relevance to Nigeria and other countries of West Africa.  The impact of the global financial crisis has steadily become more apparent in Nigeria, not least flowing from the decline in the price of oil.  Naturally, stabilising the global financial system and building the foundations of sustainable global growth could help underpin development and poverty reduction.  Nor should the debate on how to address the financial crisis detract from encouraging Nigeria to focus also on the challenges of climate change.  We will welcome interactive discussions on all these issues over the next couple of months as the agenda for the London Summit firms up.

Posted at 15:57 04 February 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[2]