World

Germany Doubles aid budget to Niger.

by Paschen | December 10, 2008 at 06:58 pm

373 views | 25 Recommendations | 8 comments

By, Uwe Paschen.

The German Government has announced that it is now doubling its aid budget for the Republic of Niger as APA reported in Niamey, Niger.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/elections-approaching-niger-press-being-jailed

The budged was raised from 33 Million EURO Per Annum to 69 Million EURO, In addition 11 Million EURO where added on top of the 69 Million for irrigation projects in the Niger basin.

http://my.nowpublic.com/environment/desertification-part-ii-history-sahara-desert-attempt-stop-desertification

Bringing the total Aid package from the German Government for Niger up to 80.5 Million EURO from the German Government alone. Keeping in mind that Niger's GNP will increase by 26% for 2009 according to UNO Stats and the addition investments from India of 50 Million Dollar over the next 3 year plus the substantial investments from China of 200 Million Dollar over the next 3 years as well as additional aid from the UN and World Bank for 2009 is a loot of money and aid in deed.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/niger-state-revenue-26-and-poverty-32

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/chinas-cnpc-now-building-mega-refineries-niger-and-chad

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/india-signs-new-pact-niger-over-uranium-mining

Niger should have no excuse what so ever that could justifying poverty and hunger with in its borders any longer. Yet it does seem to find the resources to finance Mercenaries to support rebels against neighbouring Nigeria in the Niger Delta and to fight opposition with brutal force in the north of the country. Now Niger did protest some off those charges, however a Russian mercenary captured by Nigeria has reveiled being on the sold of the Niger Government to Support Rebels in Nigeria. The money for Military actions seems to be available yet not for schooling, infrastructure, hospital and development.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7765495.stm

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gGO07v9nRHeL-WXNCxwVoGyI4s3A

In addition to all this aid Niger received a great gift from Saudi Arabia that financed the construction of a trans Sahara High way. Maybe more aid is not the right anther here. Germany does in part increase its aid to counter the Chinese and Indian influence and keep the region politically stable. I am not sure this will work though.

I do wish them the best and hope that it may bear good fruits and benefit the people at last. Niger is still on the list of the 10 poorest countries off this planet and its people are still in dyer need for the basics of life.

http://www.innercitypress.com/un1notwanted121008.html

http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=82653

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Amy Judd

at 19:07 on December 10th, 2008

That is a lot of money and should really help.

Paschen

at 20:06 on December 10th, 2008

I would hope so, Yet I am not to sure it will.

Amitjha

at 21:09 on December 10th, 2008

Hope thia sum will reach the needy. The G-8 summit declaration talked about African aid, nice to see German initiative.

Paschen

at 21:13 on December 10th, 2008

I do hope that this will reach the needy as well Amitjha. Germany has been involved in Africa aid and development since the early 50th and has a permanent office for NGO, GTZ, GKW, BMZ and other Aid agencies in Niamey since 1963.

Amitjha

at 21:31 on December 10th, 2008

Isnt these permanent offices are symbol of colonial era. In the name of developement they are some how controling the destiny of country.

Paschen

at 21:43 on December 10th, 2008

No, not in this particular case, since Germany never had Colonial claims in that area of Africa and Germany has not had any Colonies since 1918 either. Germany same as Japan do have permanent offices to assist Their NGO's and administer aid coming from their Governments in order to avoid corruption or having the aid end up being used to buy weapons. The GTZ, BMZ and GKW as well as the Japanese JICA do have a rather very good track record and reputation.

Amitjha

at 21:54 on December 10th, 2008

This might be different story then, unless the neo colonialism in sub neo form is griping the world, not by bullet but by green money.

Paschen

at 08:46 on December 11th, 2008

Your concern is valid and in way to many cases justified. I do think though that the EU has changed in the last decades and that it is on the right track of fair play and real equal partnership. At least most of the EU are. There are still some such as Italy, Great Britain and Poland that need to change the way they work and deal with former Colonies or rather as I see it, former occupied Countries. Japan, Korea, most of Europe have come a long way since 1945 and have learned to respect and view their counter parts as equals.

Even Russia did come a long way in that regard. On the other Hand China, the US and GB do behave like Colonial masters still today in way to many cases. This being said, there is always some politics behind and here it may be the fear that Africa is getting totally destabilized wish would affect Europe as well. North Africa in now being included in the European Mediterranean trade free trade zone, in an attempt to develop and establish economic stability as well as Political Stability and prosperity.