Christian Jonathan,Abuja.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its willingness and readiness to partner with the organized private sector in the country to improve the relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of Cote D’ Ivoire.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb.Yusuf Tuggar made this known during a business round-table between the two countries organized by the ministry in conjunction with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture on Saturday in Abuja.
The Minister who was also represented by the Director of Economic Cooperation and Trade Relations in the Ministry Amb. Bolaji Akiremi said that there is concerted efforts by the governments of the two African countries to whittle down barriers affecting free flow of goods and services in the West and Southern regions of the African continent.
He also noted that the two African nations have enjoyed long lasting trade relations and canvassed the imperatives to strengthening of the the relationship through trade, agriculture, oil and gas production and collaborative action of all stakeholders.
At the event with the theme ‘synergy for optimal productivity, experts and keynote speakers called for collaborative action by all critical stakeholders in the trade, agriculture and oil and gas sectors to pull resources together for national and sub-regional economic prosperity.
At the maiden outing, the Director-General National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency NOSDRA Mr Idris Musa called for a collaborative action among African countries against oil spills.
He noted that the persistence of oil spills among local and international oil producing companies had posed serious threats to biodiversity, health, safety and environment.
He further said that in order to mitigate oil spills, it is imperative for oil companies to do inspection of their facilities regularly and conduct training of personnel adding that such spills must be reported within 24 hours.
He also hinted that the agency ‘ve secured the approval of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN to construct aeriel hangers at four major international airports in Nigeria to help the monitoring of oil spills
They are the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa Port Harcourt, Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna and the Margaret Ekpo International Airport Calabar.
Also speaking at the sideline of the event, Chairman of Dignity Finance and Investment Limited Engr.Ahmed Ibrahim said that the government should take up training of translators to enhance communications in trade relations between the two nations
He noted that the establishment of French Language Village in Badagry is a lauded move by the past administrations but noted that not much had been achieved in bridging of the language barriers between the Anglo phone and Franco-phone African nations
The round-table is taking place at the margin of the 64th session of the Ordinary Session of the Authority of the Heads of State and Government of the fifteen countries in the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS taking place on December 10, 2023 at the State House in Abuja.
