Nigeria's Clinton clean-up

Heavy security has accompanied previous African visits

Nigeria's capital, Abuja, has been arranging flowers and uprooting beggars as it prepares for a visit by US President Bill Clinton.

Airports in other major cities have been upgraded, even though the president is almost certain not to venture beyond the capital region.

"All arrangements are being made to ensure that Abuja is clean and devoid of anything that could constitute an eyesore during this period," an official was quoted as saying.

We would have loved him to visit other places but for time

Susan Rice

According to residents of the capital, the clean-up included rounding up hundreds of beggars, and taking them by truck to a nearby town.

Eagle Square, the space normally used for public ceremonies, has been decorated with US and Nigerian flags, while streets and lawns are being spruced up for the visitor's arrival.

The 45km road from the airport to the city gate is being adorned with flowers.

Village detour

Preparations have also begun in Pykasa village, 11km outside Abuja, which is expected to be the only place where Mr Clinton will stop between the airport and the capital.

"I have been informed that he is coming to visit my domain," said Chief Amos Tuzambo, the village headman.

Clinton: Brief visit to a village near the airport

Pykasa, a village of about 10,000 people, is situated just off the road from the airport to the city, and within the capital region.

Villagers, excited by the propect of the visit, have already begun repairing the pot-holed road which connects the village to the main airport road.

The chief expects that his village will receive the same care and attention currently being lavished on the capital city.

He says the community needs a hospital, a primary school, water, a transformer for electricity, good roads and adult education.

Airport upgrades

Reports say that landing facilities at the airports in Kano, Lagos, and Port Harcourt as well as in Abuja have been upgraded, just in case the president should make a detour to one of Nigeria's other major cities.

Across this huge country with its sharp regional rivalries, there is dissatisfaction that the President is expected to confine his visit to Abuja and its surroundings.

It is normal for the president of the US when he is travelling to somewhere, to provide adequate security

Jerry Gana

Assistant Secretary of State Susan Rice said the president's limited itinerary was due to lack of time rather than security worries.

"Contrary to reports that President Clinton will not visit other parts of Nigeria outside Abuja because of security reasons, we would have loved him to visit other places but for time," Ms Rice told Nigerian journalists via a television link from Washington.

Security

Previous African visits by President Clinton have involved major disruption to city life as roads are blocked off for the presidential motorcade.

Rumours have been circulating in Nigeria that 5,000 security staff are to accompany Mr Clinton.

US officials have denied that so many security personnel are travelling with the president, but Information Minister Jerry Gana took the time to remind Nigerians that heavy security was normal during such visits.

"I am not sure that they are up to 5,000, but it is normal for the president of the US, when he is travelling to somewhere, to provide adequate security in addition to the security that is provided within the country that he is visiting," the minister said.

"So this is not unique to Nigeria," he added.