经济学人:尼日利亚 为何感觉完了?

 　　Nigeria

　　尼日利亚

　　Why northerners feel done down

　　为何感觉完了？

　　A terrorist insurgency¹ has deepened a poor region's already grave problems

　　恐怖叛乱—贫困的北方雪上加霜

　　THE roads are thick with traffic and pavements throng² with hawkers selling phonecards, sunglasses and leather sandals. At night, street corners are lit up with a red glow from grills³ cooking spicy⁴ meat. But the bustle⁵ of Kano, Nigeria's second-biggest city and the commercial capital of the north, masks an uncomfortable reality: northern Nigeria is in steep decline.

　　主干道上交通甚忙，人行道上也挤满了小摊小贩，有卖电话卡的、太阳镜的、还有皮革凉鞋的。到了晚上，街头摆满了烧烤架，红红的炭火甚是明亮。但是尽管卡诺是尼日利亚第二大城市和北方商业省会城市，这些喧闹的景象掩盖了不争的事实：北尼日利亚猛走下坡路。

　　尼日利亚.jpg

　　An increasingly bloody⁶ insurgency waged by Boko Haram, an Islamist terrorist group, has sharpened frustration⁷ over the disparity between the jobless north and the oil-rich south. In recent months Kano has been relatively⁸ stable, following a military offensive to contain the terrorists. But though the pause in violence has brought people back onto the streets, they have rediscovered other problems. “Stoves are gone, people selling beer have gone, there is no market, there are few customers and I haven't been able to save any money in months,” says Chineu Abason, sitting in her wooden-shack restaurant in Sabon Gari, a mainly Christian⁹ district, where Boko Haram bombs have killed scores of people this year (see picture above).

　　博科圣地是一个伊斯兰教恐怖组织，他们的叛乱越来越残忍，这让本失业人数众多的北方与油多富有的南方差距更大了。最近几个月里，军队打击并牵制恐怖分子，卡诺相对稳定多了。但是，尽管叛乱暂时平息，人们重新回到了街道上，新的问题又来了。“我们没有炉子，没人卖酒，没有销售，顾客也很少，这几个月里我都没存到钱。”Chineu Abason坐在她自己木棚餐厅里说道。她的餐厅在Sabon Gari，这儿大多数人信奉基督教，仅今年就要大量民众丧生在博科圣地轰炸下。

　　The fear of terrorism continues to cast a long shadow over the city and across the north. Bombings, kidnappings and bloody assaults by Boko Haram, as well as the army's efforts to keep a lid on the fighting, have deterred¹⁰ investment. Farming, the north's main source of income, has been hamstrung. Consumer-goods companies say that insecurity has forced them to retreat from some areas. Commercial drivers say dangerous roads and military checkpoints add 5-10% to their costs.

　　整个城市以至北方都沉浸在恐怖主义的恐惧中。不断有来自博科圣地的轰炸、绑架和血腥袭击，还有军队奋力回击抑制恐怖势力，这让人们打消了投资的念头。作为北方最主要的收入来源的农业也因此荒废。一些日用品公司称因局势不安，他们在很多地区都撤回了公司。商务车司机说因危险路段以及军事检查点，他们的驱车成本都增加了5-10%。

　　Despite a construction boom across Nigeria, many foreign companies avoid the north. In February seven employees of Setraco, an international construction company, were abducted¹¹ in Bauchi state by Ansaru, a group that splintered from Boko Haram, prompting an immediate¹² shutdown of the firm's operations up north. PZ Cussons, the maker¹³ of Imperial Leather soap, and Guinness Nigeria are hanging on but have been hit by the conflict, too.

　　虽然建设热潮风靡整个尼日利亚，但是大多数外企自然而然地避开了北方。二月份，国际建筑公司Setraco的七名员工在包奇州遭到博科圣地分支组织安萨鲁绑架，这立即导致公司北上的运营全部瘫痪。皇皮革浴肥皂制造商卡森国际和英国吉尼斯黑啤虽然站住了阵脚，但也不免受到了冲击。

　　Even before Boko Haram's insurgency intensified¹⁴ nearly three years ago, the north was struggling. Unreliable electricity, cheap Chinese imports, smuggling¹⁵ and counterfeit¹⁶ goods have made life hard for local companies. Vast spaces on Kano's edges have become industrial graveyards¹⁷. In rural areas the picture is bleaker¹⁸ still. Poor education puts off investors¹⁹ seeking skilled labour. Whereas the literacy rate in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital on the coast, is 92%, in Kano it is 49%. In the north-eastern state of Borno, where Boko Haram got going, it is 15%. Without better education, the region will struggle to attract investment or create jobs. The malaise is a useful recruiting tool for terrorists, as well as politicians with their eye on the top.

　　甚至在三年前，博科圣地叛乱还未像如今越演越烈，北方就处于水深火热之中。受到电力不稳，便宜的中国进口商品，以及走私和假冒商品的冲击，当地企业生存异常艰难。卡诺广阔的空间成了工业的墓地。农村的场景更加荒凉。这里教育程度低，投资者都不在这里找技术工人。相比而言，在尼日利亚沿海商业首都，92%的人会识字，而卡诺只有49%。东北部的博尔诺州尽力吸引来商投资创造就业机会。在这个经济的萎靡期，恐怖分子正好招兵买马，官员们此时则死死地盯着他们。

　　Northerners habitually²⁰ complain that politicians have made personal fortunes from the booming oil industry in the south, while failing to share its benefits. Mutterings of a north-south divide have grown louder with the prospect²¹ of President Goodluck Jonathan, a southern Christian, running for a second term in 2015. Northerners resent what they see as a violation²² of an unwritten rule that the presidency²³ should rotate every two terms between the largely Muslim north and the mostly Christian south. A southerner has held the post for 11 of the past 14 years.

　　北方人民常常抱怨官员们从南方石油产业中为自己捞油水，却从来不与人民分享。总统古德勒克·乔纳森是一位南方基督教徒，他很有可能参加2015的总统竞选，这使得南北方分歧的抱怨声更大了。在北方主要是穆斯林民族，而南方主要是基督教徒，南北方间有一条不成文的规矩：总统每两届南北轮换一次，现在完全违背了这个规则，这让北方人民痛恨不已。过去的14年里，南方人就占了11年。

　　Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, insists that the government recognises the north's need. Nigeria has courted $20 billion of foreign direct investment in the past three years, 10% of the African total. Yet most investors set up shop in Lagos. “When we advise investors coming to Nigeria, they don't even talk about the north,” says a South African banker in the plush Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the capital, which lies between north and south. “It simply isn't a consideration. It's the sad truth and it isn't about to change.”

　　尼日利亚财政部长伊卫拉强调政府深知北方人民的需求。过去三年里，尼日利亚获外商直接投资200亿美元，占非洲总额的10%。然而，大多数的投资者都在拉各斯开店。在位于中部的首都阿布贾的豪华希尔顿酒中，一位南方银行家说到“我们建议投资者来尼日利亚，但他们并不谈论北方。这不是简单的考虑，这就是残酷的事实而且暂时改变不了。”

　　There are few signs of revival²⁴ in Kano, though it is nearly as big as Lagos. “Shoprite OPENING SOON” is splashed on a red-and-orange sign where the Ado Bayero Mall, the north's first modern shopping centre, is going up. It has been a long wait: Shoprite, a South African food distributor, has been operating in Lagos since 2005.

　　尽管卡诺和拉各斯面积差不多，卡诺却很少有复兴的苗头。红橙相间的“Shoprite即将开业”字样喷在Ado Bayero购物中心，这是北方的第一个现代购物中心，正逐渐恢复过来。这是一个漫长的等待：Shoprite作为南非最大的食品经销商，早在05年就进驻拉各斯运营。

　　Kano's state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has poured millions into infrastructure²⁵. Taxis weave through huge concrete columns that will eventually support a flyover²⁶. But while three-lane highways are being built, feeder roads from rural communities remain decrepit²⁷. A multimillion-dollar development, the Mega Five Projects, will have three posh housing estates and two transport terminals.

　　卡诺的州长Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso投入了上百万用于基础设施。巨大的水泥柱下出租车往来穿梭，而上面将支撑起一座立交桥。但是正当三条高速公路建设时，通往农村社区的支路却还是残破不堪。投资百万美元的5个大型项目将建成3个豪华住宅区和2个运输站。

　　Such projects make little sense when many northerners, struggling to make a living, are deciding to leave Kano in search of better prospects—down south. “It is the only logical way for the government,” says the owner of a big construction company. “Visible development gives the impression of stability and progress.” But it will not be enough to close the gulf²⁸ between Nigeria's two halves. As a result, northerners are increasingly resentful.

　　努力谋生的北方人民决定离开卡诺寻找更好的出路---南下，这项工程就没有太大的意义了。一个大型建筑公司的老板说道：“看得到的发展才会让人觉得稳定和进步，这才是政府该有的逻辑思维。”但是，尼日利亚南北方的鸿沟一时还无法消除。因此，北方人民怨恨情绪日益高长。

　　1.terrorist group 恐怖组织

　　例句:He was kidnapped and briefly²⁹ detained by a terrorist group.

　　他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

　　2.scores of 很多；几十

　　例句:Campaigners lit scores of bonfires in ceremonies to mark the anniversary.

　　参加运动的人们在各种仪式上点起一垛垛篝火以纪念周年庆典。

　　3.as well as 既…又…；除…之外

　　例句:As well as many democrats³⁰, including jimmy carter.

　　同时也有很多民主党人，包括卡特。

　　4.struggle to 努力；奋力

　　例句:Curiously³¹, the struggle to survive has greatly improved her health.

　　奇怪的是，她拼命求生的抗争使得她的健康状况大有好转。

1 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

2 throng   

n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集

参考例句：

• A patient throng was waiting in silence.一大群耐心的人在静静地等着。
• The crowds thronged into the mall.人群涌进大厅。

3 grills   

n.烤架( grill的名词复数 )；（一盘）烤肉；格板；烧烤餐馆v.烧烤( grill的第三人称单数 )；拷问，盘问

参考例句：

• Backyard barbecue grills could be proscribed. 里弄烤肉店会被勒令停业的。 来自辞典例句
• Both side inlets have horizontal grills and incorporate impressive fog lamps. 两侧进气口的水平烤架并纳入令人印象深刻的雾灯。 来自互联网

4 spicy   

adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的

参考例句：

• The soup tasted mildly spicy.汤尝起来略有点辣。
• Very spicy food doesn't suit her stomach.太辣的东西她吃了胃不舒服。

5 bustle   

v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹

参考例句：

• The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深，喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
• There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the railway station.火车站里非常拥挤。

6 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

7 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

8 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

9 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

10 deterred   

v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I told him I wasn't interested, but he wasn't deterred. 我已告诉他我不感兴趣，可他却不罢休。
• Jeremy was not deterred by this criticism. 杰里米没有因这一批评而却步。 来自辞典例句

11 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。

12 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

13 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

14 intensified   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
• The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 smuggling   

n.走私

参考例句：

• Some claimed that the docker's union fronted for the smuggling ring.某些人声称码头工人工会是走私集团的掩护所。
• The evidence pointed to the existence of an international smuggling network.证据表明很可能有一个国际走私网络存在。

16 counterfeit   

vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的

参考例句：

• It is a crime to counterfeit money.伪造货币是犯罪行为。
• The painting looked old but was a recent counterfeit.这幅画看上去年代久远，实际是最近的一幅赝品。

17 graveyards   

墓地( graveyard的名词复数 )； 垃圾场； 废物堆积处； 收容所

参考例句：

• He takes a macabre interest in graveyards. 他那么留意墓地，令人毛骨悚然。
• "And northward there lie, in five graveyards, Calm forever under dewy green grass," 五陵北原上，万古青蒙蒙。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学

18 bleaker   

阴冷的( bleak的比较级 )； （状况）无望的； 没有希望的； 光秃的

参考例句：

• Horoscopes are merely harmless escapism from an ever-bleaker world. 占星术只不过是让人逃避越发令人沮丧的世界的无害消遣罢了。
• On the ground the mood is bleaker. 具体形势更加严峻。

19 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

20 habitually   

ad.习惯地，通常地

参考例句：

• The pain of the disease caused him habitually to furrow his brow. 病痛使他习惯性地紧皱眉头。
• Habitually obedient to John, I came up to his chair. 我已经习惯于服从约翰，我来到他的椅子跟前。

21 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

22 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

23 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

24 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

25 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

26 flyover   

n.立交桥，天桥

参考例句：

• It took workers more than one year to build this flyover.建造这座立交桥破费工人一年多时间。
• All that came to his bakery should go over a flyover first.所有来他店的人都必须先经过一座立交桥。

27 decrepit   

adj.衰老的，破旧的

参考例句：

• The film had been shot in a decrepit old police station.该影片是在一所破旧不堪的警察局里拍摄的。
• A decrepit old man sat on a park bench.一个衰弱的老人坐在公园的长凳上。

28 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

29 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

30 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

31 curiously   

adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地

参考例句：

• He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
• He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。