Nigerian Envoy Wants
African Integration Fast Tracked
Semiu Babalola, Lagos
African leaders have been urged to strengthen economic relations
by increased trading and removing barriers that act as
impediments to full economic and political integration of the
continent.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Tanzania, Dr. Ishaya Samaila
Majanbu said in an interview with Voice of Nigeria that, for the
continent to achieve faster economic integration, the regional
economic communities must work harder in removing barriers to
trade and movement of people within the region.
In his words,”I think our leaders and the various regional
groupings are taking the issue very seriously, the problem is
that the pace is slow. If we want to achieve true economic
integration, we must fasten it and work towards removing some of
the bottlenecks that hindered the realisation of full
integration.”
The Nigerian envoy to Tanzania believes African needs to take a
cue from other continents who are increasingly coming together
to set up strong economic blocs for the benefit of accelerating
development.
“Africans need to do business among them, there is a market and
we must do that very well. We should take advantage of the
market potentials on the African continent rather than that of
distant continent of Asia, Europe or America. There is a huge
market here, so why don’t we integrate our economy? So that we
can take advantage of Scale,” Dr. Majanbu questioned.
Ties
On the relationship between Nigeria and Tanzania, the Nigerian
envoy said since presenting his letter of credence to the
Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete in May 2008, the High
Commission has been working hard to strengthen bilateral
relations with the host country.
Dr. Majanbu said,”What we have been doing is strengthening
political bilateral relationships. Nigeria and Tanzania have
been good partners at the United Nations, regional level of the
African Union (AU) and other international organisations…we
think we need to move further by strengthening the relationships
through economic cooperation and this we have started.”
The High Commissioner identified the long distance between
Nigeria and Tanzania, lack of a direct flight, sea and road
links as some of the bottlenecks to increasing the volume of
business or trade between the two countries.
Dr. Majanbu commended the Nigerian community in Tanzania for
exhibiting good conduct and for being good representatives of
the country.
”We have very strong Nigerian community here. They have been
helpful, they help themselves and they also help the mission.
Because sometime there are consular issues that need solving, we
always involve them. The Nigerian community association here is
basically Association of Business People, they are up and doing
they are enjoying the cooperation of the Tanzanian authorities
also.”
Nigeria and Tanzania are members of the fifty-four member
Commonwealth, with Headquarters in London. Both countries have
similarities in official language-English, legal system,
democracy and cultural affinity.
Yinka
