Wike Calls For Cooperation Among African Countries
By: Wisdom Acka
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called for high level cooperation between African countries to foster own interests.
The Minister made this call when the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Wednesday.
The Minister said that the high level integration of African countries would translate into greater economic development.
His words: “On the issue of cooperation, it is very important. There is need for us to cooperate among African countries and among ECOWAS countries to usher in economic growth and prosperity.”
“So I’ll be glad when I see the proposal for us to see how we can build the relationship between Abuja and Yamoussoukro, which is the political capital of Cote d’Iviore,” he added.
The Minister stressed: “We will continue to strengthen our relationship, luckily our President is the ECOWAS Chairman and so, we will do everything we can to see that our relationship is smooth and cordial in such a way that they would be a symbiotic in nature.”
According to him, “If there are things you think we should do, do not hesitate to let us know.
Let me also say that the issue of tax will be waved and I will call the authorities that is responsible, to see that we cooperate with you on this issue”.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have told me that the same thing is applied to them in the other countries where they operate. So that will not be an issue”, he assured.
Wike explained that he had asked that undeveloped plots and abandoned structures be urgently developed, because they posed security challenges, even as he congratulated Cote D’iviore for being a good host and for winning the last African Cup of Nations; adding that Nigeria had wanted to win it but God said it was the turn of Côte d’Ivoire.
Earlier Amb. Traore disclosed that one of the reasons for his visit was to inform the Minister that his country was about commencing development of her Embassy plot following the Minister’s letter to them in November urging them to do so.
The Ivorian Envoy revealed that his country was allocated two main plots of land in Nigeria -one at the diplomatic drive area and the other, at Maitama District; adding “We have built the one at the diplomatic drive area and we are about to start another wing in Maitama District.
He said: “Another purpose why I’m here is about cooperation between Cote D’iviore and Nigeria. You know Nigeria is the biggest country in the region and Cote D’iviore is also the biggest country among the Francophone countries. So our mission here is to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in different areas.“
