ZHUL-QI’DA 14, 1429 A.H.
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11 2008
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Germany promises to help Nigeria's economy
Germany yesterday pledged to help Nigeria to realise its full potential, especially in the education sector.
Speaking after bilateral talks with top Nigerian officials in Abuja, President Horst Kohler said Germany would also help Nigeria in its pursuit of industrialisation as a tool for realising its Vision 20:20:20.
``The true potential of Nigeria is by far not its abundant oil and gas but in its people, especially its young people,’’ he told a news conference which he jointly addressed with President Umaru Yar’Adua.
``This potential goes far beyond our energy partnership. Germany has a lot more to offer to help Nigeria to tap the potential of its young generation. We can also help Nigeria to diversify its economy,’’ he said.
Kohler said Nigeria’s industrialisation process should be such that would add value to its raw materils.
The German president also advised Nigeria to develop infrastructure in the countryside so that farmers could get their produce to the market
``What is essential is the development of the countryside, this is necessary because the vast majority of poor people live in the countryside.
``And in order to do this, infrastructure is required and I think this is very much in line with the Vision 20: 2020 of the Nigerian President.
``Infrastructure ensures that farmers can get their products fast to the markets so that the markets are properly organised,’’ he added.
Kohler said that Germany had the expertise to meet Nigeria’s electricity requirements, adding that it formed part of the talks wth the Nigerian president.
``In our talks with President Yar’Adua, we talked about energy supply and we touched on the point that centralised power plants may not be the best but needs to be diversified.
``This is because it is essential to have de-centralised energy supplies and this will be accomplished by solar energy and here we have the expertise to offer,’’ he added.
Asked whether he would support Nigeria’s bid for the UN Security Council seat, Kohler said he would not mention any particular candidate but that Africa actually deserved representation in the council.
``The president raised the issue of the Security Council and he reminded us that Africa is not at all represented in the Security Council and I certainly feel that this regime is outdated.
``There are permanently debates about the reforms of the UN and these debates just do not revolve around reforming the security council although this is at the heart of the discussion.
``But the security council requires a fair representation and Africa should be represented in the security council,’’ he said.
Also answering a question, Yar’Adua said that the two countries had reached an advanced stage in their partnership for harnessing Nigeria’s enormous gas resources.
``The specific gas project involves prospecting, collection, cleaning and piping and these are being designed, costed and both sides have worked out the financing of this project.
``So far, Germany is the only nation where this stage has been reached. We have been talking about the abundance of natural gas in Nigeria, about 184 billion cubic feet of reserve,'' he said.
NAN reports that the German president is expected to leave for his country on Wednesday after visiting Lagos on today (Tuesday) and Kano on Wednesday.
