End Phase 1

This ended the 1st part of our "adventure". I think the results are good. The Governor may be coming to Kuching. There seems to be a long term relationship developing although we need to see how the next step unfolds. The G toG relationship excites them as it would reduce scope on both sides to "misbehave". We would be counted on to deliver results on acceptable prices while they would be more confident on us to deliver.

This is a news article on our visit.

Much of the reservations of going to Africa seems unfounded. Although precautions were taken, it seems that the population generally is very friendly. Speaking English really helps.

I think that staying in a hotel which has a good international menu helps. A gym would be very useful too. Harp beer is great.
Probably bringing in some spices or your own favourite food such as Maggie mee, dried sausages, bottled sambal and a few tins of food would add a variety to your food.

I observe of course that Selena (see earlier posting) came alone and went to quite a few outdoor activities so it would seem our caution is rather over the top compared to her confidence.

It seems too that the Nigerians are now realising the possibilities of Asia. After a long and rather fractious relationship with the West, they now see Asia as a less judgmental alternative. The West has been very patronising and expect to transplant their values to Africa. I watched Obama in Ghana and while most of what he says is true, in that Africans cannot continue to blame the West, it is also true that that Africa was the playground of the superpowers and with the US arming some of the despots of Africa, some of the countries were badly messed up. While I recognise the military governments and dictatorship eras are over, I am not sure that the western democracy is entirely a good model either.

We heard that SCOMI has a contract to build a toll road while UEM is also angling for one. Considering the failure of the local agencies to maintain their few roads, I think that would be an effective move. I think SAINS too can really play a role in helping the Nigerians.

I enclose some links to articles on Asia and Africa

Malaysia and Africa

China and Africa

Another China and Africa

Up to date article

Back in Kuching

The last day was spent discussing an MOU. I took another visit to the Specialist Hospital for more details. Then it was a 5 hr ride in a cramped van (instead of the earlier planned bus) to Lagos. While the road was better on the way back, less road blocks (maybe because it started raining or they were concerned only for the delta bound traffic or its a weekday), the rain slowed us down. The pools of water hid the potholes and we had to be careful. The car in front of us with Orisoft guys nearly had an accident with a truck coming the wrong way and the car's driver trying to pass a parked trailer as well! If the oncoming truck didnt give way, they would have been plastered on that truck. The traffic was bad in Lagos particularly the last stretch to the airport. In fact after we arrived at the airport, apparently there was a small accident and that held up the Emirates crew for 1 hr. As a result we were 2 hrs late, again.

We were stiffed with a request for USD 200 for some guys "helping" us through Emirate check in. The final "fee" was paid by Raymond at the last security check after immigration for the mistake of putting his wallet through the scanner.

The connecting flight from Dubai to KL was also Emirates. That helped to ensure we would not miss the connection. The Lagos, Dubai flight was a B777 and the entertainment facilities are crap as selected movies start at the same time and hence you could not determine what movie and when to watch it unlike on the Airbus.

We stayed at the Concorde KLIA overnight and was back in Kuching on Sunday. There were some Desperados at midnight at Concorde eating greasy kuey tiaw and sub standard curry mee although the Grant's cantonese mee seems ok.

Nigerian Yam

Earlier I mentioned that the Nigerians like a dough like staple which they called Yam. They eat this like we eat rice. Actually the "Yam" tuber looks like a huge tapioca but it is not a tree but a creeper. This link in Wiki has more information. The tuber is scraped, sliced, boiled and pounded (I think) into a bun. Then the lump is presented wrapped either in cling wrap or leaves. You then then pinch off bits with your hands and dip it in a hot catfish or meat gravy. The taste is neutral and the colour very pleasing white. A pic shows the yam in clingwrap and with spicy catfish "dip". I am pretty sure there were some traces of the taste of tapioca but nobody else detected it. The pics show Mr Teo with the pounder while one of the staff holds a cut off yam. Another pic shows the stacks of yam in a market. This is an important food for the population as the tuber can last up to 6 months!

State Function for SAINS

Thursday night and our visit is ending tomorrow. We have been invited to a dinner hosted by the Governor at Government House, a gated complex where the Governor is staying including other facilities.

Each of has been given a Nigerian national dress (we were measured for it 2 days before) and we wore it to the dinner. Wait for the pics.

The function was simple and quick. National anthem, speeches by His Excellency and Mr Teo, more presents for us, I think its another set of the Nigerian wear, dinner, a group photograph, ending National anthem and by 9.30 pm it was all over.

By now we are familiar with the Nigerian menu. 2 different kinds of fried rice, the pale Chinese style and the hot style. I will talk about the yam later.

Generally most of their food are spicy. They dont use garlic. There is no custom of dessert or sweets. There is usually a carton of juice produced in Nigeria which is quite good. Last night's dinner even had a bottle of Australian Hardy wine and bubbly drink.

There was a cultural team welcoming us and dancing during dinner.

Meeting the Governor

We get to meet the Governor His Excellency Olusegun Mimiko today 9th July 2009. The papers tomorrow will be full of the event and so I have put in an order for a few hundred copies to take back :-) The TV crew was also there. The Governor seems very clear on why we were there on his invitation and reaffirmed his support. Speaks very well and very sharp. Mr Teo briefed him on what we have done in the last few days.

This is our last day. We will be presenting our situation analysis and recommendations soon.

State Specialist Hospital

I visited this hospital on Wednesday 8th July to survey the environment for a possible pilot of the HIS. The hospital is a sprawling complex of single storey buildings. It has 270 beds and a medical complement includes 6 Consultants, 30 Medical Officers, 30 House Officers, 14 Pharmacists etc etc including over 300 nurses! It also has a Dietician and Psychologist. It has 8 wards including medical, surgical, children, post natal, gynae, ante-natal, accident & Emergency and private.

Most processes are manual and information on hard copy. It looks like a good candidate for a pilot.

I have added a few more photos taken on Friday. It shows a consultation room, a waiting area for children's ward and a new ward.

More pics on Emperor Hotel

The first pic shows my room. The chilean wine on the left is a gift from David in Beulah Courts. Loon Tong had 1 too. Not too bad wine. But if you know what the room rate was in Beulah, you shouldnt be surprised. The other pics shows a discussion in a bar and Grant in the cafe.