VZCZCXRO1312
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0307/01 2010758
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200758Z JUL 09
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0885
INFO RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0473
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LAGOS 000307 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: CALL ON ONDO GOVERNOR AND VISIT TO USG FOOD 
SECURITY PROGRAM ON CASSAVA 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On July 6, Ambassador made a call on Governor 
Olusegun Mimiko and his cabinet at the Governor's House, following a 
tour of the Matna Foods Cassava Processing Facility in Akure, Ondo 
State.  Ambassador made introductory comments to the Governor's 
cabinet, highlighting the U.S. Mission's involvement in several 
programs in Ondo State, particularly dry cassava starch production, 
and the Mission's assistance on projects related to PEPFAR, 
education, and wealth creation.  Afterward, the Ambassador met 
Governor Mimiko at the airport, where they had a discussion on a 
broad range of issues from food security to healthcare.  Prior to 
the courtesy call, Ambassador visited the Matna Foods Cassava 
Processing Facility, an effort supported by the Global Food Security 
Response Program.  Prior to the U.S. Mission's involvement, the 
facility was operating below capacity due to the irregularity of raw 
material.  However, due to the results of a USAID-funded project 
promoting high-yield cassava with high starch content, the facility 
will have a year-round supply of cassava.  The results of this 
initiative are year-round employment for workers at the farms and 
the production facility and an increase in production, which will 
fuel exports and agricultural sector growth.  End summary. 
 
Courtesy Call to Governor Mimiko at Governor's House 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Ambassador first met with the Ondo State cabinet where she 
highlighted the U.S. Mission's support of several programs in Ondo 
State and the ability of those projects to create wealth for the 
state's citizenry and growth opportunities in a variety of sectors, 
including agriculture, healthcare, and education.  Ambassador was 
thanked by the Minister of Agriculture, who also requested the U.S. 
Mission's assistance in improving the state's raw food processing 
ability as well as in agricultural research and development. 
 
Ambassador Meets Governor Mimiko 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador met Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the Ondo airport 
after the call at Governor's House.  Ambassador congratulated the 
Governor on his election victory and for withstanding the ensuing 
lengthy legal battle, and began a discussion on a range of issues. 
Governor Mimiko stated there were initial challenges of putting his 
government together, and when Ambassador asked of his plans for 
local government elections, Mimiko stated that he is currently 
having an internal dialogue with his party.  The Governor stated his 
intention to submit nominees within the next two weeks.  In response 
to Ambassador's question regarding how Mimiko was selecting members 
of his electoral commission, the Governor stated that it was a 
difficult process and he wanted to choose a 'credible' person as 
chairman, but stressed he had no intention to "short-circuit the 
system."  Ambassador stated that the Governor's appeal through the 
court system demonstrated how the rule of law should work over 
violence.  Governor Mimiko noted that his term began in February 
2009, when the legal dispute ended, thus he can now be solely 
focused on implementing his agenda.  In response to the Ambassador's 
question regarding working with the PDP-dominated House Assembly, 
the governor stated he does not have a "one on one" relationship 
with them, saying that one "cannot impose oneself on the people," in 
reference to the PDP.  The Governor stated that electoral reform 
would not happen soon, but stated his support to fortify areas of 
general agreement between the parties. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Governor's vision for Ondo State revolves around 
agriculture.  Mimiko's plans will focus on encouraging the 
cultivation of three main crops: cashews in the northern region, 
cocoa in the central areas, and palm oil in the south.  He believes 
that along with cassava, these crops will drive the economy on a 
sustainable basis.  While Mimiko speaks of assisting small farmers, 
he clearly has plans to help large-scale, commercial farms increase 
their crop yields through R&D, as well as granting long-term land 
leases.  Governor Mimiko stated to the Ambassador that he intends to 
make maximum benefit of the state's location along Nigeria's coast. 
He is currently gauging interest for a deep sea port in the 
southwest part of the state, combined with a large-scale industrial 
park, with hopes to rival Lagos for commercial and investment 
opportunities.  Mimiko spoke of an oil and gas logistics base 
concept, where firms who specialize in the sector can operate safely 
from Ondo State, with relatively easy access to the Delta region and 
Lagos.  The Governor's intentions to build the industrial park are 
in Ore, where he also stated a natural gas line will pass through. 
Mimiko informed Ambassador that his state has signed a Memorandum of 
Understanding with Shell to create a natural gas map of the state. 
 
National Issues 
--------------- 
 
LAGOS 00000307  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) The most important issue nationally, according to the 
Governor, is the Niger Delta.  Tied to the issues of the Delta are 
mass unemployment, which he approximated to be 60% in the area, and 
corruption.  These two issues are all fed by the other, as stated by 
Mimiko, and cannot be solved as individual issues, rather, must be 
handled as a whole problem.  Mimiko would not offer an assessment of 
the amnesty proposal, stating that there are far deeper issues that 
need to be tackled first.  The lucrative trade of bunkering, for 
example, is an extremely challenging problem facing the government, 
with no simple solution.  Another issue of national importance 
discussed was the Land Use Act of Nigeria and the concept of 
Governor's Consent.  (Note: The Land Use Act requires that the 
consent of the Governor be obtained prior to any sale or purchase of 
property, further burdening investors in the real estate market with 
added cost, delay, and the absence of financial tools such as 
mortgage backed securities, found in the majority of markets.  End 
Note.)  Mimiko stated he would like to remove Governor's Consent and 
spoke of the clumsiness of the Land Use Act in its current form.  He 
spoke of the inefficiency of having to wait two to three years in 
some instances while leases are delayed in the bureaucracy of the 
Governor's office.  The Governor noted that a constitutional 
amendment was needed to change the Act, therefore he is not 
expecting a quick resolution.  He stated that until there is an 
easy, seamless transfer system for property, enterprises will be 
wary of investing in Nigeria.  In the interim, the Governor plans to 
digitize the land registry of Ondo State and implement a 14 day 
consent program, whereby citizens can expect his consent on lease 
agreements no more than 14 days after submitting it to the 
Governor's office.  Mimiko states that this should work until a 
constitutional amendment is passed. 
 
Plans for the Future 
-------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Other issues discussed by Ambassador and Governor Mimiko 
include the Governor's idea to create a smart card for all the 
citizens of Ondo, which would be used in hospitals and government 
agencies.  He stated a trial will begin shortly with 4,000 
volunteers, and that the United Nations Development Program has 
commented positively on the idea of smart cards with biometric 
information.  As a medical doctor, the Governor is interested in 
improving healthcare in the state, and told Ambassador of the 
building of a mother/child hospital; creating more medical training 
programs, particularly in rural areas; encouraging local governments 
to employ doctors; and his goal of reducing child mortality rates in 
the next four years.  On security issues, the Governor stated that 
he would like to create community watch groups to complement police 
efforts.  Mimiko intends to get the youth actively involved in these 
watch groups, which he believes will substantially reduce crime 
rates.  Regarding kidnappings, the Governor stated that there have 
been one or two incidents recently, however they were mostly 
individual criminals and not affiliated with any larger 
organization.  Ambassador commented on the U.S. Mission's 
involvement with the government of Kaduna in training the police to 
utilize bicycles for community policing and the effectiveness of the 
program.  Ambassador offered to provide the Governor additional 
information on the bicycle program. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Ambassador reiterated several projects the U.S. Mission is 
supporting in Ondo in support of Mimiko's initiatives, in 
particular, the cassava factory visit and how with the aid of the 
U.S. Mission through USAID, increased crop yields will assist over 
500 farmers, increase production at the factory and exports, all 
resulting in job growth and wealth creation for the state. 
Ambassador concluded the meeting by providing the Governor with a 
list of all U.S. Mission sponsored projects in Ondo State, and 
projects supported nationally which have an impact on Ondo State. 
 
Ambassador Visits MATNA Foods Cassava Processing Facility 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Prior to the meetings at Governor House and Governor 
Mimiko, Ambassador visited the MATNA Foods Cassava Processing 
Facility in Akure, Ondo.  The facility is a beneficiary of a 
USAID-funded MARKETS project, which is part of the overall USG Food 
Security Program.  The project promises high-yield cassava with high 
starch content.  Ambassador toured the factory with the Managing 
Director of the facility, Mr. Dele Ogunlade, and his team, as well 
as with members from the state Ministry of Agriculture.  Through 
this program, farmers are guaranteed a market for their high-yield 
cassava while the factory ensures that it will not operate below 
capacity any longer due to a shortage of raw cassava.  Ambassador 
commented on how the collaboration of the U.S. Mission with local 
 
LAGOS 00000307  003 OF 003 
 
 
farmers was able to provide twin benefits to farmers and the 
factory, all in support of the state's goal to increase production. 
 
 
¶9. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Abuja.