FG to Partner Foreign Companies in Transportation Sector
Oru Leonard
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mallam Sabiu Zakari has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to partner with all stakeholders and investors both foreign and local in the Transportation Sector in order to move the Industry forward.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed this while receiving in audience a delegation led by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Stefano Pontesilli, who met with him on the 11th of June, 2019 at the Ministry’s Complex in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director, Maritime Services, Mallam S. U. Galadanchi said that the need to partner with stakeholders especially foreign investors has become necessary in view of the strategic position of the transportation sector in the economic wellbeing of the country.
“There is tremendous opportunity in the Maritime domain, Aviation Sector and Nigerian Railways, therefore the need for partnership and collaboration with both foreign and local investors in the Transportation Industry.”
He urged the Italian businessmen residing in Nigeria and abroad to utilize this huge opportunity to invest in Nigeria for the mutual benefit of both countries.
He mentioned that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been concessioned, therefore the business of the ports has been conducted on Private Public Partnership where NPA serves as a regulatory body.
He therefore urged the Italian delegation to not hesitate to request for any information or clearance needed to facilitate the bilateral relationship.
Earlier, the Ambassador of Italy to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Stefano Pontesilli stated that the objective of the visit was to have collaboration, good synergy for the effective and efficient transportation system in Nigeria.
He added that “it is very important for us to have a high calibre of delegation in order to collaborate with Nigerian Government in the area of transportation.”
While reaffirming the long lasting relation and friendship existing between the two countries, he stated his country’s willingness to invest in the transportation sector and concretize the move to bring Italian companies to Nigeria through Private Public Partnership platform.
