By: Joy Odor/AbujaThe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama has acknowledged the support of Germany in various developmental projects in Nigeria such as the recent approved Grant of about 26.8 million Euros for the Eradication of Polio Programmes in Nigeria among others.The Minister who stated this during the 6th Meeting of Nigeria and Germany Binational Commission’s Political Working Group in Abuja on Thursday believed that the involvement of Germany in the power sector in Nigeria will motivate other important investors to support business in Nigeria.
Mr. Onyeama who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhajji Mustapha Suleiman called on international countries including Nigerians in the quest for ecomonic diversification to come and invest.The foreign affairs minister noted that Nigeria is presently witnessing upsurged terrorist activities in the country, but it is mindful of the concern expressed by the Germans on the global and regional terrorism and human rights issues including the minors.
He assured the Nigeria’s commitment towards finding lasting solution to the insecurity challenges, pointing out that Nigeria required a concerted effort and cooperation of subregional neighbours and the international Community to address the challenges posed by Boko Haram insurgency.Speaking, the Director General for African Latin America, Near and Middle East, Dr. Philipp Ackermann who described Nigeria as the biggest economy in West Africa, home of ECOWAS and the performing region in Africa said this is the reason why Germany has interest to relate with it.
Mr Ackermann explained that the Binational Commission’s Political Working Group is an instrument that both country aggreed to create 10 years ago which it’s objective relations is to compare it’s stance on important political issues and seek areas that both can intersify cooperation.Contributing, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Birgitt Ory, underlined the importance of roads, energy, and security to economic growth, saying electricity will bring in more investors as Nigeria has a good market size and enabling environment for business.
“Nigeria has a market size which is a huge success. Many companies are looking to invest but they are looking for reliable framework conditions.”They need to know that there is legal framework in place to do their business here Nigeria. Any business is looking for energy and power, if there is power, business will come, long term investment will come”she stressed.
