Obama declares Nigeria world’s next economic giant

WASHINGTON— President of the United States of America, Senator Barrack Obama, has declared Nigeria as the world’s next economic success story.

He said the discovery was one of the major reasons why his government was committed to helping the country build strong democratic institutions and as well remove constraints to trade and investment through the African Growth and Opportunity, AGOA.

Making this declaration at the ongoing US-Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDOA, in Washington DC, President Obama, who was represented by Ambassador Eunice Reddick, a top official of the US Department, said his country expanded opportunities for Nigeria to effectively access its neighbour’s market, and diversify its economy beyond a narrow reliance on natural resources as a result of the discovery that Nigeria will emerge as the world’s next economic giant.full details inside


President Obama said: “As we support these efforts, the Diaspora can play an important role in contributing to a strong, vibrant, and economically-prosperous Nigeria.”

He explained that his country invests in Nigeria’s success because it recognises Nigeria as a strategic centre of gravity, stressing that the country’s success will as well be Africa’s success if the US can help Nigeria chart a secured, prosperous, and democratic course.

The US leader also assured that his government will encourage Nigeria in the area of private investment in the power sector as well as other sectors to help seal the promise of growth and opportunity for all Nigerians.

According to him, the US government will also work to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which employs nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population, by encouraging improvements to infrastructure that would facilitate agricultural growth.

On the US-Nigeria Bi-National agreement, Obama said that the joint Commission had grown into a forum for frank, high-level concersations, in which both nations have seen substantial reforms and mutually reinforcing initiatives implemented in Nigeria.

His words: “Some key outcomes of the Binational Commission so far have been successful integration of civil society into the electoral process prior to the 2011 elections, sustained and elevated dialogue with energy sector officials on energy policy, reforms to increase investment, and agreement to support the development of a civil affairs training center in the coming year.”
Vanguard

Anambra Oil Field Ready For Commissioning Next Month

ANAMBRA State Commissioner for Special Duties, Vincent Ezenwajiaku, a lawyer, has given the assurance that facilities at the Aguleri-Otu oil flow station would be completed and ready for commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan during his visit to the State on August, 30 this year.full details inside

Ezenwajiaku, who heads the Implementation Committee on the Presidents’ visit, while on tour with newsmen to ascertain the level of work at the site yesterday, observed that the job was going on according to specifications and would be completed on time.

He explained that he was satisfied with the level of work already executed by the Niger Cat Construction Company handling the project, adding that the ramps, helipad, helipark and car parks would be ready before the President’s visit.

Speaking to newsmen, the site engineer, Niger Cat construction Company, Samir A. Chanine, also confirmed that all facilities at the flow station would be ready within the next few weeks, just as he identified rainfall and floods as major impediments.

“We are working in swampy area, and rainfall is slowing down the work. Actually, we are doing our best to complete the job on time, Chanine said.

He added: “The helipad for landing a helicopter is ready and the helipark is almost completed. We are constructing ramps for crossing the river linking the oil field; two car parks, and work on the 4.3 km road from Umueje in Aguleri is nearing completion. All will be ready before the President’s visit”.

In his contribution, the drilling Engineer at the oil location site, Engr. Ezeonwumelu Chukwuemeka, described the plant as where the crude is processed and separated into water, gas and crude oil, adding that the crude oil is loaded into barges for onward transportation to the refinery.