Joe Ageyo
14 July 2008
opinion
Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni are not the best of friends, an impression that one gets when the two men are together.
But they seem to share a philosophy that is referred to as eco-scepticism.
President Museveni has often dismissed the idea of "sustainable development" as a Western construct, with little relevance to underdeveloped Africa.
He is often heard saying that development is like a pregnancy and can therefore not be said to be sustainable. His point seems to be that development is an absolute concept - it is either happening or not.
Mr Odinga seems to agree. When asked about the proposed Tana Delta sugar project, the PM gave what is now his signature response to controversial development projects - that your daughter must not remain a virgin if you want grandchildren.
This view, on the face of it, seems to suggest pragmatism at its very best and a desire to improve the lot of the poor residents of Tana River District. Yet it flies in the face of modern-day development planning principles.
It seems to be making way to dangerous presuppositions. First, that development is good and must therefore take place at whatever cost, and secondly, that development is the same thing as economic growth.
The first view is based on the notion that the Western countries "developed" using the same model they are now calling unsustainable. The logic is, therefore, that Africa should gun for economic growth now and worry about the environment later.
It is predicated on the idea that Africa's greatest problem is material poverty and so the continent must strive to "develop' at whatever cost so as to liberate millions from their misery.
The second assumption is even more misguided - that economic growth is an end in itself. Were that the case, then the world's largest economy, the USA would not be changing governments so regularly on account of perceived economic mismanagement.
Were that the case, the world's fastest growing economy, China, would be receiving nothing but accolades from around the world.
Yet Americans still complain of economic difficulties, and several world leaders have been toying with the idea of boycotting the Olympics to protest against China's human rights record.
This is to say that any development that does not address the total needs of a person is not development at all.
This is where the controversial concept "Sustainable Development" comes in. Granted, the phrase has as many definitions as there are scholars, but the most widely accepted one has to do with meeting today's needs without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
To that end, many visionary development planners now think beyond economic growth.
Sustainable Development addresses three aspects of life - economic, social and ecological. For sustainable development, it must combine a robust economy with rich and resilient natural systems and thriving human communities.
So when some Ugandans complain about the Bujagali power project, President Museveni should not attack the World Bank and NGOs, but should instead ask himself whether provision of hydropower is more important than listening to what the people in that area really want.
What is the use of a multi-billion shilling sugar project in Tana River if many of the local residents feel it is an intrusion?
Granted, we all need a growing economy. We all want Vision 2030 to be realised, but it is important to remember that there is life after 2030.
Many economists (not just environmentalists) are now warning that had Planet Earth been a business, it would be in the red. We are simply drawing more from nature than we can replenish.
But there is now an economic imperative for keeping a keen eye on the environment. Let's take the Tana River case, for instance. Leading conservationists say the cost of the proposed project has been underestimated and its potential benefits grossly overrated.
Even if it were to take off, there will be the big question of whether British consumers, for instance, who are so environmentally conscious, will be willing to pay for ethanol produced under circumstances of possible irreversible damage to the environment.
Sustainable Development must be a negotiated concept in which a government strives to find a place where the interests of all stakeholders meet, even if it does not guarantee maximum economic benefit.
And back to the story of the virgin and Mr Museveni's question on pregnancy. Yes, Mr President, pregnancy can be unsustainable if the mother is physically unfit to bear the child or does not have enough food. Most doctors would recommend very drastic measures.
As to the PM's anecdote on the virgin, some things in life can be more precious than having grandchildren, which is why some people choose to become nuns, others, monks.
Mr Ageyo is the News Editor at NTV.
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