Tinapa nigerias 450 million white elephant

You're referring to the Tinapa Smoked Fish Processing Plant, a project that was touted as a major economic development initiative in Nigeria, but has been widely criticized as a white elephant.

Here's a brief background:

In 2005, the Nigerian government, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, launched the Tinapa project, a massive smoked fish processing plant located in Calabar, Cross River State. The project was designed to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and increase Nigeria's fish production. The plant was expected to process 100,000 metric tons of fish per annum, making it one of the largest fish processing plants in Africa.

However, the project has been plagued by numerous issues, including:

  1. Inefficient design: The plant was designed to process fish, but it was not equipped to handle the high volume of fish expected. This led to inefficiencies and high operating costs.
  2. Lack of infrastructure: The plant was built without adequate infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and water supply. This made it difficult to operate the plant efficiently.
  3. Corruption: The project was marred by allegations of corruption, with reports of mismanagement of funds and embezzlement of resources.
  4. Inadequate maintenance: The plant was not properly maintained, leading to frequent breakdowns and shutdowns.
  5. Low productivity: Despite its massive size, the plant has struggled to achieve its production targets, with reports of low productivity and high waste levels.

As a result, the Tinapa project has been widely criticized as a white elephant, with many arguing that it has failed to deliver on its promises. The project has also been a significant drain on the Nigerian economy, with estimates suggesting that it has cost the country over $450 million (approximately N150 billion).

In recent years, the Nigerian government has taken steps to revamp the project, including the appointment of a new management team and the injection of fresh capital. However, the project remains a contentious issue, with many calling for its cancellation or privatization.