Tony Bryer wrote:

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:15:08 +0100 Steve Firth wrote :
The Democratic Republic of Congo wants to build a hydroelectric project
that if it were possible here would supply the UK with all its
electricity needs, with the potential to supply the entire energy needs
of a country the size of the UK. Obviously in energy-poor Africa the
clean, renewable energy would transform lives for the better. And it
gives Congo the potential to be a serious industrial contender.

If only it was so simple.

I didn't say it was simple, but greens attempting to stop development
for their own political ends are suppressing the few chances that come
to poor countries.

Zambia and Zimbabwe have had the benefit of the
Kariba Dam since the 1960s.

And until Mugabe Zimbabwe was rich.

What keeps Africa poor is the absence of good
government.

I don't dispute that at all, but good government comes in part from
people having a reasonable expectation for their standard of life.