Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has invited Indian investors to increase their presence in the nation’s capital. This was as the National Assembly had been called upon to elevate the FCT Minister to the status of a governor.
Wike told the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Balasubramanian Shri, who visited his Abuja office, that the city has investment opportunities Indian investors can explore.
According to the minister, Indorama Petrochemical Industry in Port Harcourt remained an excellent signature of the Indian relationship with Nigeria. He equally assured the high commissioner of government’s commitment to create a friendly environment.
The FCT minister noted that the administration gradually defeated forces of insecurity through strong collaborative efforts of all security agencies.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has been supporting the FCT Administration to improve on the infrastructure of the nation’s capital. Wike added that his administration in FCT would like to deepen the bilateral relationship India has with Nigeria. He said: “There is no doubt that we have a cordial relationship with India. I know that the President attended the G20 meeting and that he had a lot of private discussions with investors.
“We would like to see that all the embassies in Abuja have an environment that is not hostile to carry out their assignments. So, within our purview, we will not hesitate to give what is required for you to do your assignments..”
Earlier, Shri had recalled that his country enjoyed a good relationship with Nigeria, which dated back to 1958. He also disclosed that investors from India created massive employment in Nigeria, being the second highest employers.
Shri said: “We have Indorama Petrochemical Industry in Eleme, Rivers State. We have 55 Indian companies in Nigeria, with over $27 billion in various manufacturing sectors in Nigeria. Indian Companies are the second largest employers after the Nigerian government.”
CABUL Network, a developmental group, which is behind the call for Wike’s elevation, argued that it was in tandem with the recent pronouncement of the Supreme Court.
Led by Dr John Harry, former commissioner for the environment in Akwa Ibom State, the network, at a news conference in Abuja, argued that granting the FCT minister the full powers of a governor would not only expedite the infrastructural development, but would enhance the security of life and property of the citizenry in the FCT.
Wike, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on FCT to defend his N1.1 trillion 2024 budgetary proposal, had demanded such status to enable him to spend funds under the “security vote” scheme.
The group commended the minister for his sectoral, infrastructural and developmental reforms in the FCT, adding that they had been following him with keen interest.
