15th June, 2015
Some Abuja residents on Monday said plans by the African Union to introduce a single currency and passport was a step in the right direction.
They told NAN that the proposal, if implemented, would help in uniting Africans and boost the continent’s socio-economic development.
Mr Mathaias Aliyu, a civil servant and resident of Garki said the idea, if actualised would help in easing the movement of Africans across the continent and make commercial activities in Africa easier.
He said in the long run, it would have a multiplier effect on the continent’s economy and political developments.
Ms Amaka Oti told NAN that: “it’s a good idea and that the former president of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, also raised this idea years back but the westerner countries used it against him.
“I support the idea 100 per cent because it will help our economy,” Oti said.
A trader, Mr Idris Musa, cautioned that necessary economic policies should be put in place before the continent adopted a single currency and passport, saying doing otherwise would endanger the continent’s economy.
Mr Ike Victor, a business man said the single currency and passport proposed was a welcoming idea, considering that most African countries share cultural values and norms.
He said would help Africans live freely where they find themselves on the continent.
However, Jide Olayinka, a political activist said even in the distant future, time was not ripe for Africa to adopt a single passport and currency.
Olayinka said the single currency and passport proposal, if implemented, would entail that Nigeria surrenders its independence to the African Union (AU).
NAN recalls that Mr Anthony Maruping, AU Commissioner for Economic Affairs on June 12 in Johannesburg said African leaders were contemplating adopting a common currency and passport.
“The single currency and passport are aimed at connecting Africa through world class infrastructure with a concerted push to finance and implement major projects”, he was quoted as saying.