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Jul 9th, 2017 by admin
INTERVIEW WITH GERMAN CONSULAR GENERAL- MR INGO HERBERT
What is the level of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany today?
The foreign ministers Germany says with AFRICA it is close but still so far but with regard to Nigeria, and Germany in their relations let me say that after, South Africa, Nigeria and Germany has the best relations in sub Saharan Africa well established for a long time on all levels. We recently had political consultations. Also, we have a close cooperation in other spheres including security, and here In Lagos as consular general we cover economics, scientific relations, culture, legal and consular co-operation.
What is the volume of trade between Nigeria and Germany?
Nigeria after South Africa is one of our important trading partner. When you look at figures, German trade is still mainly with other partners in the world, only a small percentage of export of Germany goes to sub Saharan Africa so there is room for improvement. The trade balance is actually always in favour of Nigeria because ninety-five percent of imports from Nigeria to Germany are oil and gas related. The figures for 2015 trade volume was nearly three billion Euros. And Germany exported goods for one billion and Nigeria exported to Germany, mainly oil and gas goods worth two billion euros so it’s an advantage for Nigeria. And in line with the new diversifisification policy direction of the economy now focussed on industrialization, Nigeria receives mainly machinery, chemical products and vehicles which includes cars, trucks and buses.
As a representative of your country, how involved are you in the affairs of German companies in Nigeria and are you satisfied with the level of activities of these companies in Nigeria?
German companies are about eighty percent but in my opinion if you ask, other countries are more engaged here, an example is South Africa. And one of my main task is to get more German investment to Nigeria. On how involved we are in the affairs of these companies, when we talk to the German companies, they clearly state that business they do themselves and where they need the embassy or the consulate like ours in Lagos, they will ask for assistance. As such, when it comes to the frame work, official or political context we are involved, which means in concreate terms we will come in when a German company has difficulty getting the relevant permission needed to set up a factory or production facility, we will support them through our channels. What we do not do is concrete trade promotions.
Having been in Nigeria for some months now, what are your thoughts on Nigeria in terms of development, economy, culture and people?
It’s astonishing that having been in Nigeria for close to ten months people still say I am new. And I always say I keep discovering Lagos because it’s so complex, like it’s a planet of its own, but on the other hand it’s also like NEWYORK, also reflecting the country as well. Nigeria, Lagos so complex… When you ask about my thoughts, let me start with the people. I mean that is the most fascinating and this is also the general opinion of Germans I have met so far living here, There are a lot of Germans from the business community and those who are on the lookout for investment opportunities. They are surprised at how educated, qualified, how open the people are and interested in contacts in the world. That for me is very special and very positive. I always say Lagos is a vibrant city, full of energy. When it comes to culture, it is a rich one, afro beat started here. And with the Goethe institute, here in Lagos it is a cultural hub. It is place where German investors are looking to invest.
How different was this from your initial impression of Nigeria particularly the stories you had heard?
I was astonished recently when your President stressed recently in London that Nigerians have a bad image, image problem abroad. As such one of my main task together with the business community is to encourage Nigerian business men in Germany to promote Nigeria because the image is one that is chaotic, violent, and dangerous and in the last two years the news related to Boko Haram and the kidnapping and Niger delta issues has escalated. It is up to Nigerians to work on the image and I see my task too to work on the image for Germany. Though it’s not easy to find experts who are willing to move to Nigeria to live and work here. I have lived abroad and I feel secure here. That variety and quality of life here, you do not find in other African countries. I enjoy the social and cultural life of Lagos and would always recommend it.
Is Nigeria moving in the right direction particularly with the current recession?
For Nigeria it’s a difficult time politically particularly when you have Boko haram in certain parts and the Niger delta in other parts. Economically the situation is difficult. I always say it’s not up to me to teach what to do or judge it. My impression is that any diffulcuity does not end overnight. In my view the current government has done a lot of things to move the country in the right direction. When you are depending so much on oil and you have this low oil price, either you have prepared yourself for such an event and if not then diversification of the economy is the right remedy. In Nigeria, it is the right thing to do with so many opportunities. Maybe it’s more difficult if Nigeria did not have the potential but Nigeria has the potential. The other thing is having budget lines for investment in infrastructure. Then solving the energy questions and the challenges remain, the main question is why such a big country produces such low energy and rare product for investment. Everybody needs energy. Again, these decisions are right to fight corruption. For, investment, investors need security and this means rule of law, effective judicial system and no corruption. Again the fight against corruption by the president is absolutely the right thing for investors.
Where would you want Nigeria to be in the years to come? What are your expectations of Nigeria in terms of where you want Nigeria to be, and any bright light at the end of tunnel?
Definitely, yes for people it will be difficult, the President is right when he called for patience. I understand it will be difficult as circumstances are difficult, there is inflation, people are fired, so no jobs. On the other hand, economic decisions to turn around an economy just takes time. For example even when a German investor would say I want to build a factory in Nigeria, it would take two three years to set up a factory, it is a difficult time and I see it here every day but again it is not completely unprepared. It’s a lot of neglect and failures from the past we are dealing with now. It’s a lot of repercussions. I think having a government with direction and ideas, is a positive thing. A lot of German companies left Nigeria during the Abacha regime because investor security was no longer there. Nowadays they are looking at Nigeria because it’s the biggest economy, the quantity, population. They see the current difficulties and they are looking at the medium and long term solution, that Nigeria is a place they should be, if they start with some form of representation. Also, they see Nigeria as a place of opportunity. Nonetheless, things have already changed with the forex system which is more conducive for investors. Though, Nigeria still has the import restrictions.
Germany is involved in agriculture in various African countries like Ghana, Zambia through GIZ. How is GIZ doing in Nigeria?
GIZ is involved here and they have several programs and initiatives, some are even regional where they have improved their work over the years. They have many partner organisations. They have other projects where they support small and medium scale enterprises. The headquarters of GIZ is in Abuja. They have improved the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of small scale farmers and their families. Also in the cocoa areas and in many states where other projects like Pro-Poor growth and promotion of employment in Nigeria and Nigerian Energy support programme. Etc. There work is in majorly three states, Ogun, Niger and Plateau. In Ogun State more than a thousand farmers were trained in good agricultural practices.
How involved is Germany in helping to boost industrial skill acquisition and bridge skills gap in Nigeria? This is important because of the lack of available jobs, even those with jobs are losing them as such Nigerians need to be trained.
I get asked this question a lot because people are interested in the German economic success story then I explain to them we have a very special vocational training. It’s the dual vocational training where young apprentices get a training on the job in a company. The companies are willing to train these people three –four days of the week and for one or two days of the week they go to a public school. These group of people have finished middle school so they are aged from 14 – 17. And this means they still live at home so the companies that hires these apprentices just need to train them and has only to pay them a small salary or pocket money. The schooling is free. In Germany It is the responsibility of each federal state to set up such a school. This combination of practical training and also schooling, which is theoretical makes a success of the system as the apprentices are not only able to fix things but also know and understand practically why they are doing it.
Here we have several projects, we just finished one last year which was the first phase with the manufacturers association of Nigeria, German ministry of commerce and the delegation of Lagos chamber of commerce. We have broken the three year German system to a one year training school. The trainers are from the German chamber of commerce. The trainers working with the Nigerian trainers (train the trainers) having developed this curriculum for mechanics, technicians, teach and train mechanics etc. it is quite successful as I have attended a graduation ceremony. The Dangote academy has also introduced the German vocational training system, this programme was signed in February when our President visited Nigeria and it will be partly financed by the German Government
Finally tell us about the German-Nigeria arts and cultural interest.How did it emerge? And how much has it played a role in German-Nigeria growth/development
I think the institute like the Goethe that has been here for 50 years. The Goethe institute is doing such an important work for artists in Nigeria with several initiatives for artists in the country. It is about bringing German culture to Nigeria and also making it possible for Nigerian artists to go to Germany. It is also a point to study the German language and culture also to make it possible to have an exchange with German counter parts. We regularly invite Nigerian filmmakers, Producers and Critics to the Berlin film festival. Nollywood is now known in Germany, it is known as the beginning of cinema in the country.