FCT TO COLLABORATE WITH EUROPEAN UNION IN AGRICULTURE, TOURISM AND SECURITY TO GROW FCT ECONOMY 09-10-23
By Sadiq Aminu The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has called for collaboration and viable economic relations with the European Union in Agriculture, tourism and security, to grow the economy of the nation’s capital.
He made the call in Abuja while receiving the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Samuela Isopi.
Mr. Wike said the FCT was open for cooperation and investments in the areas to address the economic challenges of the Territory.
The Minister expressed the hope that increased cooperation would help unlock the economic potentials of the FCT and create jobs for the teeming populace of the city.
As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, the Minister said the FCT Administration had submitted a proposal for the establishment of a Secretariat that will deal with women development issues, to ensure inclusivity and promote the participation of women in governance.
On the position of the European Union Observation Mission on the recently concluded elections in the country, the FCT Minister expressed his reservation on the actions of the EU for what he termed interference with the internal affairs of Nigeria.
Mr Wike who observed that the Mission did not have adequate personnel in the country to cover the elections, particularly in Rivers State, said that EU Mission’s position that the government stifled the opposition in the State was inaccurate.
According to the Minister, the priority of the EU should be supporting Nigeria to grow her economy and create jobs to positively impact the lives of the citizens.
Responding, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria Ms Samuela Isopi explained that the report on the outcome of the elections in Nigeria was that of the European Union Election Observation Mission, which is an independent observation mission deployed by the European Union at the request of the Nigerian government.
On the areas of cooperation with Nigeria and the FCT, the Ambassador said the EU was refocusing its cooperation towards improving agricultural value chains to assist with the economic diversification agenda of the country and is also working on renewable energy projects in the country.