Nigeria's $500,000 gift to junta draws international ire

by Salai Pi Pi

Monday, 12 January 2009 23:10

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Nigeria is making a "big mistake" by giving a donation of half a million US dollars to Burma's military government in aid of cyclone victims, as the donation is unlikely to reach the targeted population, according to a UK-based campaign group. "It was a big mistake made by the Nigerian government. The money they have given will not be going to help the victims of the cyclone," Mark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told Mizzima. Farmaner's comments came after Nigeria handed US$ 500,000 to Burma's ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Tint Swe, during a meeting with the Nigerian ambassador on December 23. The Nigerian Ambassador to the UN, U. Joy Ogwu, in a statement on December 23 said the donation was part of Nigeria's response to the international appeal for assistance to victims of cyclone Nargis, which swept through Burma's southwestern coastal regions in early May 2008. "I am honored to present this cheque for the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, through you, to the government and people of Myanmar [Burma], as Nigeria's contribution to the ongoing relief efforts in the country," Ogwu said. Farmaner, however, said Nigeria's donation has been wrongly channeled as it bypasses the U.N., which has set up warehouse donations for cyclone victims in Burma, and it is most likely that the donation will not reach the victims of Cyclone Nargis. "It is very strange that they gave money at all," Farmaner said, adding that the donation is more likely to be pocketed by the ruling junta. "If they [Nigeria] understood more about Burma, they would have given money to the United Nations or aid agencies instead of giving to the regime," he added. On May 2 and 3 of last year, Cyclone Nargis stormed into Burma's Irrawaddy and Rangoon Divisions, leaving 2.4 million people in need of assistance and more than 130,000 dead or missing. Burma's military rulers came under international fire for delaying the entry of aid workers and relief materials to cyclone hit regions. The regime later came under further consternation over criticism of its foreign exchange mechanism, which the U.N. itself acknowledged costing the international body 20 to 25 percent of allotted relief funds. Farmaner speculated the largesse could be a Nigerian effort to achieve closer ties with Burma's ruling generals for future business opportunities. "Some governments like Nigeria want to look towards Asia as possible for investment," Farmaner said, adding that Nigeria could also be using the opportunity to improve its international reputation. However Ogwu, in her statement, said, "We take this opportunity to express our unflinching solidarity with the people and the government of Myanmar [Burma], for the concrete action being taken to address the situation [aftermath of Nargis]." The U.N. did not wish to comment on the donation, saying it was the decision of Nigeria to give directly to Burma. "The UN cannot comment on anything done by state members without U.N. involvement," an official at the U.N. office in Geneva told Mizzima. Meanwhile, the U.N. said it has obtained only 64 percent, or US$ 304 million, of the total US$ 483 million appeal made to the international community for reconstruction and relief work in Burma's cyclone hit zones. < Prev   Next >