Corruption
I had a bit of a debate with my driver the other day. Right now we are experiencing a very long delay from the Nigerian Banking system. We are expecting a payment from one of our clients, a large multi-national, which is now three weeks late. My driver told me we should just find out who is in charge of our account and bribe them. Then we'll get our money without any problem. "That's the Nigerian Way" he told me.
So I spent the next ten minutes of the journey arguing why it is never a good thing to bribe, and that it just helps the rich in Nigeria get richer and the poor stay poor. I don't think I changed his opinion. I think he thinks on the lines that Everyone else is doing it so why not us?
Recently a neighbour of a friend of mine was arrested by EFCC for something called 'wash wash' which I believe is the coloquial term for the 'Black Money Scam'. It could be money laundering I suppose. My friend told me that this man was often seen talking on a mobile phone using a handkerchief to cover the microphone and using phony accents. People didn't really understand what he was doing but they suspected he was a 'yahoo boy'. I was impressed to hear that he was arrested, and thought that finally things might be on the right track. I have just learned that he is now back on the streets, having been 'bailed'.
Technorati Tags: Lagos, Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria, Corruption
posted by Aaron Rowe @ 10:21 PM
6 Comments:
hehe u have driver
u don big oh
me? I never reach big oh.
Yes I have a driver despite the fact I LOVE driving.
I had an experience, some years ago, in 2002 I think. I was in the car with a Lagosian friend of mine, somewhere in Ikeja. The driver I had then was a huge guy. A very friendly happy sort of fellow but so tall and muscular you would not want to pick a fight with him. We hit a bad hold up where there were four lanes of cars trying to edge their way around a sharp corner that only has space for one lane of traffic to pass comfortably. While we were fighting in this queue we nudged another car. To my eyes clearly their fault from our position on the road. The driver of this car looked about 12 years old, but a lady sat inside the car got out and started banging on our windows. My driver got out and so did my Yoruba friend and the three of them started a long drawn out argument. At that time I didn't hear much pidgin or Yoruba but I can remember the lady saying 'Oyinbo' and pointing in the direction of my car a lot.
So with us parked in the road blocking the traffic it wasn't long till the police reluctantly took interest. The lady demanded that we all go to the police station, making accusations that my driver had hit her, and also my friend had hit her. Both were complete lies as I had been watching from the car like a scared little boy the whole time, trying to appear unamused.
So off we went to the police station, which it turns out is called 'Area F' where apparently only the most dangerous criminals are taken. Hmm fun.
Basically, without any money changing hands, we ended up being sent on our way without any further problem, while the lady was given a severe warning about wasting police time.
Had I been driving myself I have no idea how I would have coped.
That and the frequent arguments we get into in Go-Slows with hawkers, makes me never want to drive through busy areas.
If you ever see me driving it will be a weekend, or only in a quiet area of Lagos.
Hahaha, I can imagine your trepidation. You're right not a good idea for a white person to drive himself in lagos, unless you're sure you can hold your ground against the police, danfo drivers, Okada riders and other folks who may want to oppress 'oyinbo'
I understand your frustration with being unable to convince your driver on the ills of bribery. But you must understand things from his perspective as well. Fact is, if he and people like him dont bribe, he'll have much harder time in Naija than otherwise. The sort of social metamorphisis that'll reduce corruption in Naija cannot be achieved at that level. Its got to come from the 'top'.
I'm fiding your blog quite interesting though. keep it up.
I see your UK base is Newport. Not far from Cardiff where I live!
Cheers!
Wale
he he back to square one "bailed"
instead of bribing the official, ask for the person in charge tell him your boss have reported to the efcc about money being held in the bank for no reason ;)
Hi Aaron,
it's really interesting to read your writings.
keep going
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