The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday received the Ambassadors of Mexico and Cuba at different times in his office in Abuja.
Wike told the Mexican Ambassador that Nigeria and Mexico shared a lot in common and that he was ready to cooperate with those who were ready to contribute to the development of the FCT.
He said Mexico and the FCT can collaborate in the areas of tourism and agriculture to create jobs and reduce hunger.
Wike assured that Mr President has instituted the rule of law and zero tolerance for breaking the law. This he said is to ensure that investors have confidence in the system.
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“In the FCT, we are willing and ready to collaborate with those who are ready to collaborate with us. Abuja has favourable land for agriculture. Am tired of signing M O Us, let the people of Abuja see the things we are doing.
“Mr President has removed all bureaucratic bottlenecks, and we are ready to partner with investors in agriculture, security, and tourism.”
Wike also noted that Mexico should streamline what they can achieve, adding, “Education is key, agriculture will provide employment, Mexico is good in agriculture and we want to tap from that.”
The Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfredo Miranda Ortiz said already steps are being taken for Mexican investors to invest in Nigeria.
He said Mexico was on the verge of elections that would change the face of Mexico; having two strong contending female candidates and a young male candidate from the civil society.
He re emphasised, “I am open to working with you. Only 10 days ago here in Abuja at the velodrome, we gathered and got a compendium of investments which we already sent to Mexico and investors are showing interest.”
Ortiz said at the moment, Mexico was exporting $30bn worth of agricultural produce.
On the other hand, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero, offered her country’s readiness to support the government’s efforts to tackle malaria in Nigeria.
The envoy specifically offered her country’s desire to support the efforts to fight malarial by the FCT Administration in the nation’s capital, which she described as the host of many foreign embassies in the country.
She said Cuba, through Labiofam, a Cuban-based pharmaceutical company had developed a single anti-malaria dose which could also be used for some other diseases.
She said Nigeria had signed an agreement with the company in 2016 as part of efforts to eliminate malaria.
The ambassador, who traced the historical link between her country and African countries and Nigeria especially, also offered to partner with the FCT Administration in the area of agriculture, tourism, and job creation.
She invited the Minister to her country for him to see the achievements made so far by Cuba and see first-hand, the areas he will be needing collaborations.
“We are inviting the minister to come to Cuba to see what we have achieved in the area of agriculture, health, and tourism. With this, you will see by yourself and look at the many areas we can collaborate,” the ambassador offered.
