Nigerian-born British MPs lead trade mission to visit vice president Yemi Osinbajo

VICE president Professor Yemi Osinbajo has directed the ministry of trade and industry to improve the ease of doing business in the country as a means of attracting more foreign investors into the country.

 

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, Professor Osinbajo gave the directive while a British trade delegation led by Nigerian born members of the UK parliament Kate Osamor representing Edmonton, Chi Onwurah representing Newcastle Central, Chuka Umunna representing Streatham and Helen Grant representing Maidstone and the Weald. He told them that the Buhari administration was eager to remove all obstacles militating against investment so that entrepreneurs could find Nigeria a good place to do business.

 

He said the administration was looking forward to encouraging UK businesses, especially those willing to work with the administration in providing road, rail, agriculture and power infrastructure in the country. According to Professor Osinbajo, the federal government is prepared to develop Nigeria's agriculture value chain for economic prosperity and job creation.

 

Professor Osinbajo also said that the administration was leveraging on the general environment to achieve a high technology status, adding that plans were underway to develop technology parks nationwide. On power supply, he assured the delegation that the plan was to have an energy-mix that would increase power supply nationwide to enable more rural populace to have access.

 

Among other things, Professor Osinbajo briefed the delegation that the administration had removed the obstacles hindering the development of the Azura power project in Edo State which would add 450 megawatts to the national grid. He, however, added that government was considering either concessioning or privatising the project for speed and efficiency in its execution.

 

Ms Osamor said that the mission was in the country to introduce British companies that were willing to work with Nigeria. She added that the vice president had provided the mission with an overview of the direction of the government in education, transportation, rail and power supply.

 

“He spoke about five or six aims and pointed out that he wants to work on construction, building on the roads, rails and education. The delegation wants to work closely with the organisations that are here," Ms Osamor added.

 

She pointed out that she, in particular, was interested in raising the level of education of the people which had gone down drastically over the years. According to Ms Osamor, Nigerians in the diaspora would build schools and improve the quality of teachers and wipe out illiteracy.

 

Emmanuel Obasi, a director of Africa House, London, said the group was keen on promoting the trade and investment relationship between the UK and sub-Sahara Africa with particular interest in Nigeria. He added that the mission was satisfied with the anti-corruption fight of the administration which had encouraged the investors to visit the country.