Nigeria, UK to improve trade relations

Nigeria, UK to improve trade relations
Rafat Salami and Lawan Hamidu, Abuja

The Nigerian government has urged British firms to take advantage of the  government’s Public Private Partnership to invest in Nigeria as the capacity of gas production was being increased.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who made the pledge while receiving the British Secretary of State fo International Development, Andrew Mitchell, in his Office, said that efforts were on to create more gas distribution network to enhance industrialization.

He pleged that the government would create an enabling environment for the industrialization of Nigeria through increased foreign investment.

He said over 10 new thermal power plants were being constructed in parts of the country, while plan had reached advanced stage to embark on hydro-power project for all-year round irrigation of farms. “Over 70 percent of the population in Nigeria are farmers and unfortunately right now they can only farm during the raining season.  We want to transform that situation where they can grow crops throughout the year,” Sambo said.

Vice President Sambo thanked the British government for its interest to support the transformation programme of the present administration. 

Bilateral relations

Mitchell condoled the Nigerian government over what he described as the recent awful bomb attack at the Police Head Quarters.

Mr Mitchell said his visit; the first by a British Secretary in the last five years was to reinvigorate the relation between the two countries.

He pledged the willingness of his country to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. 

Boosting the Helth sector

The UK secretary of state also announced a 68 million pound grant to support nutrition programmes and family planning products to Nigeria.

He said the UK’s Department for International Development, working with Nigerian government, UNICEF and international NGO’s, will deliver new 50 million pounds nutrition programme in northern Nigeria and provide 18 million pounds to family planning commodities.

Mr Mitchell discribed Nigeria’s National Health Development Plan as a policy that potentially increased contraceptive prevalence rates and reduced malnutrition.

Mr Mitchel is in Nigeria to step up bilateral relations after Nigeria’s successful elections.

Williams