Nigeria's new Foreign Affairs Minister takes over

“As the new Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is not my intention to change the direction and content of Nigeria’s foreign policy which has stood the test of time. Rather, I intend to recreate a new era of Nigeria’s foreign policy by sharpening our focus on what will best serve the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in our engagements with the outside world. It is my intention to build on existing relations and to promote new partnerships and collaborative initiatives, centered on issues that are germane to Nigeria’s national interest.”

-Ambassador Aminu Wali

Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

FCT Minister Bala Mohammed continues to work...

(From left) Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, Road Safety Sector Commander, Susan Ajenge, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, FCT Police Commissioner, John Mbu and the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila during the FCT operational briefing in Abuja…Monday.

FCT Minister Bala Mohammed at work!!!

From left) Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed,  FCT Police Commissioner, Mbu J. Mbu and Road Safety Sector Commander, Susan Ajenge during the FCT operational briefing in Abuja…Monday.

Nigeria's new Foreign Affairs Minister wants cooperation

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Bashir Wali has called for commitment, dedication to duty, hard work, and honesty in order to advance the noble course of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.

His Excellency expressed gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for considering him worthy of Ministerial appointment, adding that he would endeavour to justify the confidence reposed in him.

He also paid glowing tribute, to the Honourable Minister of the State 1 and Supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Mrs. Viola A. Onwuliri, for the excellent manner she handled the affairs of the Ministry, before his appointment.

Earlier, while handing over, Prof Viola A. Onwuliri commended the Hon. Minister for his achievements in his previous positions, especially in the International arena.  She noted that New Minister had served meritoriously as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York, USA from 2004 to 2007.  She also wished him a successful tenure in Office.

APC Summit,Abuja,Nigeria-Familiar Strangers

 From L-R:Fmr Nigerian Head of State,Muhammadu Buhari,Sen.Bola Tinubu and Fmr.VP,Atiku Abubakar

Buhari and Atiku:A combination that is hard to beat

ECOWAS VICE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR PRACTICAL PLANS

ECOWAS VICE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR PRACTICAL AND FEASIBLE STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE COMMUNITY

The ECOWAS Vice President, Dr Toga Gayewea McIntosh has challenged the Community’s strategic planning coordination committee to develop practical and feasible strategic plans that will contribute to the realisation of the organisations integration objective.

Opening the three day 8^th meeting of the committee in Freetown, the Vice President characterised the Community Strategic Framework (CSF) as an umbrella for ECOWAS Institutions to develop their institutional action plans within the context of the regional objective.

Describing the CSF as critical to the attainment of the Commission’s integration plan, the vice president urged the committee to ensure that the plans incorporated the decision of the Council of Ministers and the Heads of State and Government without ignoring the Community Development Programmes.

Dr. McIntosh used this medium to champion the need for a collective approach in developing the  plans as the ECOWAS vision is an embodiment of the collective visions of all Community institutions. 

Furthermore, he charged the Committee to adopt a participatory approach with consultants, development partners and stakeholders by organising working sessions to ensure cohesion and increased productivity.

Similarly, Professor Mohamed Ben Omar Ndiaye, the Director General of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), which is hosting the meeting, stressed the need to implement the recommendations of the previous SPCC meeting, particularly  that related to institution of a forum for the heads of ECOWAS institutions to exchange views, discuss the status of the strategic plans as well as the challenges in order to propose solutions.

FCT BUDGET DEFENCE @ Nigeria's National Assembly,Abuja,Nigeria

International Women's Day 2014

Statement by Guy Ryder, Director-General
International Labour Organization

On the occasion of International Women’s Day
"It is opportune to take stock of the situation with respect to women’s status and gender equality in the world of work.
The available information paints a mixed picture.
There has been notable progress in the area of national legislation with most countries having incorporated the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Many governments have adopted active labour market policies to tackle discrimination against women and a growing number of employers’ and workers’ organizations are implementing initiatives on equal opportunity and treatment. A number of individual women have managed to advance and to break through the glass ceiling.

At the same time, stubborn and often profound gaps persist. Progress in increasing women’s labour market participation has been uneven according to our 2014 Global Employment Trends Report. In developed economies, women are expected to benefit less from the timid recovery projected in the medium-term – their unemployment rates will only gradually decline to 8.2 per cent in 2018, whereas for men it is projected to drop to 7.6 per cent. In North Africa women’s labour market participation rates in 2013 were barely 25 per cent, and in the Middle East not even 20 per cent.

Occupational sex-segregation and gender pay gaps persist. Women are over-represented in the informal economy, precarious work, and in low-paid jobs. For example in South-East Asia and the Pacific, vulnerable employment in 2013 affected women most (63.1 per cent as compared to 56 per cent for men). In the formal economy women’s share of decision-making posts remains low notwithstanding a pool of talent.

Services to assist women and men in balancing work and family responsibilities – particularly state-funded and quality childcare – are unavailable or inaccessible for many. Such care still largely falls on the shoulders of girls and women. Moreover, a large majority of women lack access to quality maternal and infant health care and other maternity protection measures – effectively penalizing them for their reproductive role. Risks and opportunities for women often vary depending on their colour, religion, social origin or skill levels. Women do not constitute a homogenous group. Consequently it is also important to look both at how different groups fare in the labour market and how they and women generally fare relative to their male peers.

The rights of girls and women are often subordinated; their economic and social contribution often undervalued and their perceived inequality compared to men sometimes regarded as immutable.

Not surprisingly, their work is also simply invisible – physically as in the case of domestic workers for example working behind closed doors. Or they may simply be absent from the data – which perpetuates their inequality.

It is time to do better.

Keeping on top of such issues is especially important in the context of an increasingly interconnected global economy, rapidly-changing labour markets, the impact of migration and challenges to the universality of rights and standards.

The ILO is renewing its own efforts to establish a solid information base that will be a shared resource to inform future action. With sound knowledge to back up evidence-based arguments, declarations and policies on gender equality will have far better prospects of translating into change for the better in the lives of many more working women. And this, we know, also means stronger families and communities and ultimately businesses and economies.

Today we recognize the valuable and indispensable contribution of women in the world of work. We join our efforts with all who are striving for gender equality: it is also our common challenge to ensure mutually reinforcing action to secure steady progress to this goal.

TROOPS REPEL ATTACK AT CHAD BORDER

TERRORISTS’ HUMAN BUTCHER APPREHENDED

Nigerian security forces operating with the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) yesterday repelled a dusk attack by terrorists in their bid to overrun markets in communities in the outskirts of Monguno and NNPC at New Marte, Borno State along Chadian border.  Over 50 assorted brands of grenades and 11 AK 47 rifles were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.  Cordon and search operations are ongoing at the general area while heightened patrols are continuing.

Meanwhile, interrogation of captured terrorists from various locations has been yielding useful information as to their mode of operations.  Among those in custody is a lead specialist in butchering human beings who insists he does not use firearms but daggers and cutlasses for his assignment.

More assaults and encounters are continuing in other identified locations as intelligence sources confirm the routes being used by the fleeing terrorists.  Troops have been directed to sustain aggressive patrols in certain areas where terrorists’ actions are anticipated.

Flamingoes settle for draw against Belgium

The Flamingoes of Nigeria extended their unbeaten run in preparation for the 2014 FIFA U17 women World Cup in Costa Rica after they played out a goalless draw against Belgium counterparts in an international friendly match in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday.

The Nigeria U17 women who had tough game against the Belgian side failed to get a goal for the first time in their last nine high-profile friendly matches at the Alles Des Sports Stadium.

The game came days after the Nigerian girls ran riot in a rout of Clube Benfica in Lisbon, with a brace from Cynthia Aku and individual efforts from Rasheedat Ajibade and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

Coach Bala Nikyu started the high-profile friendly with some of his best legs who masterminded the victory in Sunday's encounter with Benfica on the bench in bid to engage all the players.

Both halves were fascinating as many will have expected the goal feast for the free-scoring West African side as all attempts put up met the rock in an encounter that looked not their day.

Belgium's U-17 girls also made several attempts to register a goal against the Nigerian side but met a brick wall in the defence line of Ologbosere Mary, Emenayo Ugochi Anibaba Ayominde and Mene Augusta.

Earlier in the game, the best chance came in the first half where Captain Tessy Biahwo's winning goal potential from a penalty spot, turned another miss for both shared the spoil with no victor, no vanquish at regulation time.

The African representatives have recorded three wins and a draw in four warm-up games.

Speaking after the game, substitute striker Chinwe Ihezuo assured Nigerians she and her teammates will record success in Costa Rica and make them proud by winning all their matches after ruing missed chances as well as blaming his side's inability to score against the Belgian team on anxiousness and unfriendly weather.

"We played a good side, but today's game was hard luck for us. We did very well though we were too anxious to score and missed many chances. The weather was not too friendly as it was very cold and did affect our performance. We are assuring Nigerians that we will not only to participate, but do our possible best to win all our matches and make them proud in Costa Rica," Chinwe assured.

Earlier, the captain of the team, Tessy Biahwo who expressed shock at her penalty miss, promised to ensure conversion when the opportunity avail itself at the World Cup and appealed for the prayers of Nigerians in Costa Rica as they hope to win tournament.

Reps Decry FCT’s N30.4b National Budget as Insufficient

• Bala Mohammed ,FCT Minister
  
  
• Say Abuja project under threat by poor federal funding

Members of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday frowned at the paltry N30.4billion national priority budget ceiling for 2014 given to FCT by the Budget Office of the Federation as grossly insufficient. On the occasion of FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir’s presentation of the FCT 2014 national budget at the National Assembly Complex, the lawmakers warned that unless there was improved funding of critical infrastructure and social services in the federal capital, Abuja may end up as a recreation of a congested and ill-planned Lagos.

The FCT Minister had told the panel members chaired by Hon. Emmanuel Jimeh (Benue) that the present envelope of N30.4billion handed the FCT for 2014 was a far cry to fund the 17 National Priority Projects (NPP) that require the sum of N470.3billion to be rolled off. He said the implication of this ceiling is that these projects would either be underfunded or abandoned. In the face of the grin funding reality, FCT might have to brace up for litigation by the affected companies, some of which are multi-nationals, he hinted.

The Minister nevertheless gave a glimmer of hope by disclosing that the FCT Administration on its part was working painstakingly to harness other avenues to fulfill its strategic role of building a befitting Federal Capital City that would be a source of pride for Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora. Among the alternative sources of funding are the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the SURE-P. An estimated N23billion is expected to be sourced through the latter. Mohammed also stated that the FCTA would intensify its collaboration with the private sector for infrastructure development through public private partnership (PPP).

He appreciated the lawmakers’ support and cooperation with the FCTA towards fulfilling its mandate of providing the required the required infrastructure to the residents of the FCT pursuant to the Administration’s mandate of delivering a first class city that would be comparable to the best in the world.

While reviewing the performance of the 2013 FCT National Priority Budget, the Minister said that the sum of N57billion was appropriated for the FCT National Budget that year. “To date FCT has received 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quarter warrants bringing the total amount released to date to N32,954,483,703.49, leaving an unreleased balance to date of N24,045,516,294.51,” he disclosed.

The release gives a budget performance of 58% while the expenditure against the actual released sum gives 100% performance.

Nigerian mothers will stage a peaceful walk to condemn insecurity...

Tomorrow across the country, Nigerian mothers will stage a peaceful walk to condemn the killing of our children, our seed, our future.
We demand life for our children and indeed every Nigerian.
Please come out en masse.
Abuja Unity fountain. 8:30 am.
Come in black hijabs, tee shirts and jeans. Come with water.
Please spread the word.
God's peace rest upon pour children, amen.

Please call 08033951460 for further enquiries.

PEACE UPON OUR CHILDREN!!!

Nigerian mothers will stage a peaceful walk

Tomorrow across the country, Nigerian mothers will stage a peaceful walk to condemn the killing of our children, our seed, our future.
We demand life for our children and indeed every Nigerian.
Please come out en masse.
Abuja Unity fountain. 8:30 am.
Come in black hijabs, tee shirts and jeans. Come with water.
Please spread the word.
God's peace rest upon pour children, amen.

Please call 08033951460 for further enquiries.

PEACE UPON OUR CHILDREN!!!

Women must go beyond asking for 35% participation- Olejeme

Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF), Dr. Ngozi Olejeme has attributed the low participation of women in politics to the prevailing social and economic regimes as well as the existing political structures.

These hindrances, she said, must give way for the African woman to realize her full potential and contribute meaningfully to nation building and democratic governance.

“The absence of the African women from political decision making has a negative impact on the entire process of democratization, as it undermines the fundamental concept of a democratic form of governance”

Olejeme spoke on the role of African women in promoting development in democratic governance at an interface between the Peoples Democratic Institute and the International community in Abuja.

Olejeme who declared that the place of the African woman in systemic development has not been properly captured and therefore remains unappreciated because of primordial perceptions about her, said “women involvement in the democratic process is essential to broadening and deepening the commitment of the societies to democratic governance”

“The African woman has been a major target of extreme forms of violence in the region. Women in the horn of Africa have experienced the full impact of violent conflicts as civilians and combatants. But the truth remains that they are usually excluded from the decision making processes that ignite wars or put an end to hostilities”

Flamingoes target World Cup finals for Nigeria

With two weeks to the female U-17 women World Cup in Costa Rica, the Flamingoes have again restated their readiness for competition with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Portuguese’s women club, ClubeFutebolBenfica in an international friendly match in Portugal.

Cynthia Aku’s brace and solitary efforts from Ajibade Rashidat and ChinweIhezuo fired up the Nigerian women for victory in an encounter played at the Clube Futebol Benfica stadium in Benfica at the weekend.

Red-hot Uche Kanu put the Flamingoes ahead via Yakubu Aminat’s pass in the 7^thminute and later had her 17^th minute goal cancelled for an offside.

Fascinatingly, Ajibade Rashidat blasted home the second goal on the brink to ensure the Nigerian side finished the half with a 2-0 lead.

In the second half, the explosive Coach Bala Nkiyu’s tutored side started the half with all gun blazing as Cynthia fired home the third for Nigeria in the 50^th minute, before the Portuguese club grabbed what looked like a consolation through Mafalda with fourteen minutes to regulation time.

Horribly for the Portuguese side, Aku Cynthia got her second goal of the night in the 85^th minute, while substituted Chinwe Ihezuo, who came in for Ajibade Rashidat added the fifth deep in injury time to complete the rout.

The latest victory for the Nigeria U 17 women became the third in all three friendly games of Europe’s training tour – with earlier 3-2 win over Sporting Heulva after 3-1 spanking of Portuguese’s CDR Quarteirense U14 boys.

Brazil 2014 World Cup: We will make Africa proud-Maigari

Aminu Maigari, president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has observed that the five African representatives for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil have resolved to make the continent proud at the tournament.

The NFF president made this remark in an interview with Cafonline.com, following a meeting between CAF President, Issa Hayatou and representatives of the five teams in Cairo on 21 February 2014. Nigeria is in Group F with Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iran. Read the full interview below;


Nigeria has what might be called a lucky draw. Are you already thinking about the second round?

Aminu Maigari: Yes, it is a good draw but that is what every other team will be thinking as well. Every team will be doing their own preparations and there is no underrating any opponents since there are no more small teams or weak sides. Each of the 32 teams qualified for the World Cup cannot be underrated. We will go to Brazil and set out to give and do our best and see how far that takes us.

Nigeria has a young team with not much international experience, do you think this will count against you in Brazil?

Aminu Maigari: I don’t think so. Football is all about skill and executing your tactics well. What we have done with our team is to mix these young players with some experienced ones. We did this during the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA Confederations Cup last year (2013), and it’s a strategy that we believe will serve us well.


What mindset are you approaching the competition with?

Aminu Maigari: Nigeria is going to Brazil to make sure that we will make the entire continent of Africa proud. In the same spirit, we wish well the other four African teams at the finals; Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, to also make the continent through their performance. We want to show that African football has grown and improved a lot over the years.


Preparation is key to the performance of a team. What are your plans in that regard?

Aminu Maigari: Under my leadership at Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), we have done away with short- term planning. Instead, we are focused on long term objectives and planning. Very soon the team will be moving to a training camp for preparations. We have arranged top quality and befitting warm-up matches for our team, to give as much adequate preparation as possible.


The beginning of the 20th century has been described as the perfect moment for African football. What in your opinion has been the cause for the failure to have an African team for the final of the World Cup or three teams at the quarter-final?

Aminu Maigari: I believe African football is growing faster than in previous times when these predictions were made. This time round, we might see some of the results of what I’m saying. Let us be patient and see what happens in Brazil 2014. African football will not let the continent down but make us all proud.

 

 

PHOTO NEWS:COMMISSIONING OF AGIS INFRASTRUCTURE

 Director,AGIS,Jamilah Tangaza,Senator Victor Ndoma -Egba,FCT Minister Bala Mohammed

 Former FCT Minister Aliyu Modibbo and FCT Minister Bala Mohammed

FCT Minister Bala Mohammed and Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba

UN Security Council urged to tighten arms embargo on Somalia

UN Security Council urged to tighten arms embargo on Somalia

The UN Security Council’s relaxing of the international arms embargo on Somalia last year appears to have contributed to a rise in insecurity and human rights abuses that has resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths each month, Amnesty International said as it called for a robust embargo to be restored.

In March 2013, the 21-year-old arms embargo on Somalia was partially lifted by the UN Security Council for one year, allowing the Somali government to import small arms and light weapons but not larger weapons and munitions. The Security Council is due to review this embargo by 6 March 2014 and the government has requested the embargo to be lifted.

“The facts speak for themselves – security for Somalia’s people remains extremely volatile, and the ongoing flow of arms into the country is fanning the flames of armed violence and grave human rights abuses against civilians,” said Michelle Kagari, Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“Allowing more light arms to be sent into Somalia under the government’s current weak controls is a recipe for disaster. The Security Council must restore the full arms embargo and set up strict monitoring procedures for any exceptions in order to bolster security in the country.”

Since the UN embargo was relaxed last March, arms meant for the Somali Government have reportedly been diverted for end use by parallel armed groups who are not part of Somalia’s armed forces, including al-Shabab.

2012 and early 2013 saw a rise in Somalia’s civilian death toll. More civilian casualties were reported than in 2011, with an estimated 600 fatalities monthly at its highest. Hand grenade attacks doubled in May and June compared to the beginning of 2013, and targeted killings take place almost daily.

When Somalia’s former Deputy Prime Minister Fawsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan asked in February 2013 for the UN arms embargo to be lifted, she committed her government to putting in place “the necessary mechanisms to ensure armaments do not fall into the wrong hands”, and to strengthening the military.

However, recent media reports on a leaked UN report pointed to “systematic abuses” by government forces that resulted in mass diversion of weapons to armed groups since the UN Security Council partially lifted its embargo last year. The same reports pointed to “gaps in information” from light arms supplying states such as Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as the Somali authorities about the quantities and whereabouts of shipments from abroad.

Weapons diverted from the army are said to be widely available on private arms markets in Somalia and have allegedly made their way into the hands of parallel security forces, even being earmarked for an al-Shabab leader.

In early 2010 Amnesty International called for the suspension of arms transfers to the Somali government until there are adequate safeguards to prevent weapons from being used to commit war crimes and human rights abuses. The organization also called on the UN Security Council last year not to lift the arms embargo for this reason.

“The Somali government has been unable to live up to its commitments. Their security forces have not been strengthened, and reports suggest that they have actively allowed arms to fall into the hands of groups that commit atrocities,” said Michelle Kagari.

“It would be short-sighted and dangerous for the Security Council not to restore a much stronger arms embargo as a key step to ending the proliferation and abuse of arms by armed groups responsible for human rights abuses in Somalia.”

Amnesty International is calling on the Security Council to restore the full embargo and ensure stronger monitoring mechanisms are put in place. This should include stricter prior notifications by exporting states to the UN Sanctions Committee for any intended arms transfer to the government, the right of the Committee to refuse transfers should it pose a significant risk of abuse and the installation of an independent UN team to rigorously inspect stockpiles and track arms deliveries.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S APPROVAL RATING DROPS...

Abuja, Nigeria. March 4th, 2014
Latest governance poll results released by NOIPolls for the month of February 2014 have revealed that 51% of the adult Nigerian population approve of the job performance of President Goodluck Jonathan over the past month. This rating represents a 10-point decline in his approval rating from January 2014 (61%). More findings revealed that the President had an “average” ranking for his performance on Economy, Health, Agriculture & Food security, and Transportation amongst others; while he was ranked “very poor” for his performance on  Security, Job creation, Power and Education in the month of February. Furthermore, the results revealed that 40% of Nigerians experienced slight improvements in power supply to their households over the past one month. However, this figure represents a 4-point decline when compared to January, showing declining electricity supply to households. These are some of the key findings from the Governance Snap Poll conducted in week of February 24^th2014.

These findings represent the February 2014 poll results of the monthly governance poll conducted by NOIPolls to gauge the opinions and perceptions of Nigerians regarding the approval rating of the President, the performance of the President on key elements of his transformation agenda, and the state of power supply in the country.

Respondents to the poll were asked three specific questions. The first sought to gauge the perception of Nigerians on the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan over the past 1 month. Respondents were asked: Do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of President Jonathan in the past 1 month? Findings reveal that 51% (35%+16%) of respondents approve of the President’s job performance, where 35% approve and 16%strongly approve. In addition, 27% of the respondents disapprove of the President’s job performance, representing a 10-point increase from January 2014 (17%). Similarly, 22%remain neutral as they neither approve nor disapprove.

An assessment of the President’s performance based on geo-political zone indicates that theSouth-East zone (84%) has the highest proportion of respondents that approve of the President’s job performance, followed by the South-South zone (63%).  In addition, theSouth-West zone (37%) has the highest proportion of respondents that disapprove of his performance while the North-West (26%) zone accounted for the highest proportion of respondents that remained neutral on the president’s approval rating.

ECOWAS URGES TIMELY DELIVERY OF ABIDJAN-LAGOS HIGHWAY

ECOWAS URGES TIMELY DELIVERY OF ABIDJAN-LAGOS HIGHWAY PROJECT

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Mr. Ebrima Njie has called on the five Member Countries involved in the Lagos-Abidjan Highway Corridor Project to double their efforts to ensure a timely delivery of the 1,028-km road project linking some of the region’s major capital cities and ports.

Addressing the 4^th Steering Committing Meeting of Ministers of Works and Road Infrastructure from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo in Abuja on 28^th February 2014, the Commissioner who spoke on behalf of the Commission’s President said: “We now have to urgently firm up decisions to enable the various components of the Project to take off,” given the tremendous “excitement building around this project due to obvious positive reasons.”

“We therefore owe it on ourselves to make this (project) work for the good of our respective countries and the ECOWAS Region at large,” Commissioner Njie added.

Leaders of the five countries have already endorsed the Committee’s recommendation at its 3^rd session in Yamoussoukro last December requiring the five countries to contribute US$50 million in “seed fund” to show their commitment to the implementation of the project which comes under Phase I of the Lagos-Dakar regional infrastructural development Programme aimed at boosting trade as well as free movement of persons, goods and services in the region.

The Commissioner reported that a Selective Tendering process was being initiated to select Consultants to undertake the Feasibility and Design Studies for the project, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) had been approached for funding the studies as part of the initial Fund Mobilization and Project financing efforts.

“We also continue to engage the Government of China for the possibility of supporting the development of the entire Lagos-Dakar Corridor,” he said.

The Committee Chairman, Nigeria’s Minister of Works Mr. Mike Onolememen underlined the need for the selection of the “best” Consultants as “none of our countries can afford to see the huge resources being invested in the project, go to waste, nor the project stalled due to the incompetence on the part of consultants.”

“We have seen countries like China, Japan and others showing serious intentions to be involved in the project because they have noticed how committed we are towards actualizing the project in record time,” the Minister affirmed.

According to him, “we are on the verge of unleashing the economic potentials of our countries that has been stunted by the long awaited improvement of the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.”

Benin, Ghana and Togo, also used the opportunity to reiterate their total commitment to the speedy implementation of the project.

The 4^th meeting was also attended by officials of the ECOWAS Commission, including the Director of Transport Mr. David Kamara.