World Bank’s doublespeak and forked tongue

[Toyin Falola]

World Bank’s doublespeak and forked tongue

https://businessday.ng/pro/article/nigerias-economy-riding-on-three-deflated-tyres-world-bank/

It is difficult to escape the uneasiness that the World Bank is playing games with Nigeria on the matter of the economy. They are also playing on our intelligence.

Evidence showed this week.

Mcdermitt Gill, WB Chief Economist, made conflicting assertions.

1. The Nigerian economy is riding on only one tyre and three deflated ones.

Deconstruct this metaphor and it says our vehicle cannot move. If anyone knows any other meaning for three deflated tyres, please interpret.

2. Despite only one functional tyre, Gill says: “I think it is right that the economy has turned the corner with three deflated tyres. Nigeria today is a good story. But that’s the reason why I’m so scared that this story can become a not-so-good story.”

3. Nigeria “has turned the corner” with deflated tyres, but it will take us 15 years to make good.

4. The World Bank offers to be Nigeria’s spare tyre. What this means is more loans and conditionalities.

Please those who have better insights into the subterfuge that passes for language and communication of “structural reform” could educate us better. World Bank and IMF indulged in such arcania during the Structural Adjustment Programme era in the 80s/90s.

How does a vehicle with three deflated tyres move?

If it has “turned the corner” already, why does it need 15 years?

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[Patrick Effiboley]

Thank you for sharing this. Years later, they will tell Nigerians that they didn't mean it. See record below.

Dr Emery Patrick EFFIBOLEY

Maître de conférences, Histoire de l'Art

Chef, Département d'Histoire et d'Archéologie, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Bénin

Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Wits University, RSA,(2014-2016) 

www.researchgate.net/Profile/Emery_Effiboley

 

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[Oluwatoyin Adepoju]

Food for thought

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