Nigeria seeks Japan’s support on power supply, transportation

 

The Federal Government has sought Japan’s assistance to develop infrastructure in the country.

Specifically, the government wants Japan’s support in the areas of power supply, transportation, health, agriculture as well as Information and Communication Technology.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo made the plea on behalf of Nigeria during a bilateral talk he had with the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, in Yokohama, Japan.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Umar Sanni, on Sunday, quoted Sambo as imploring Japan to invest heavily in Nigeria due to the potential in the country.

He advocated Public-Private Partnership arrangement between the two countries.

Sambo briefed the prime minister on the efforts by the Nigerian government to address the country’s security challenges and ensuring the return to normalcy in the three states under emergency rule.

The statement read in part, “He (Sambo) seized the opportunity to explain to the Prime Minister the progress the country is making in the areas of power supply, transportation and Brass-LNG, and the need for Japan to assist our local gas infrastructure.

“Sambo assured the Prime Minister of Nigeria’s readiness to support Japan’s bid to host the summer Olympics and to win its slot for non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations.

“While commenting on the issues raised by the vice-president, Prime Minister Abe stated that to achieve the level of development, Nigeria and Japan will have to work together, especially as regards the TICAD V initiative.

“He noted that a number of Japanese businesses have made progress in Nigeria and that he looks forward to more investment in the Nigerian economy.

“He further stated that Japan supports Nigeria’s growth and economic development and the need to eradicate polio. As part of Japan’s efforts to ensure this steady growth, the Yen soft loan will be used to build elementary schools as part of the projects of inclusive growth.”

Abe, according to the statement, expressed Japan’s willingness to provide support for infrastructural development in Nigeria as stated by Sambo.