ABUJA -The Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission says it will split its Regional Security Cooperation and the Niger Delta Working Group to address security challenges in the Northern part of the country.
The commission, established in April 2010 with four working groups, is aimed at ensuring Good Governance, Transparency and Integrity, Energy and Investment, the Niger Delta, Regional Security Cooperation, Agriculture and Food Security in the country.
The Leader of the U.S. delegation, Mr. William Fitzgerald, who spoke in Abuja at the opening of a two-day meeting on security, said that current security challenges in the North had taken on a new significance.
“So, we have chosen to split the regional security cooperation and Niger Delta into its own working group.
“The regional security cooperation will have its own working group which we will meet and discuss today and tomorrow.
“Niger Delta issues are still ever pressing as well as maritime security, we will meet later this year, hopefully later on in the spring.
“We were very pleased with the frankness of the Niger Delta discussion in Washington in September 2010 and are very eager to help advance economic development and environmental protection in that vital region.
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Fitzgerald noted the achievements recorded by the commission so far, adding: “we look forward to addressing good governance issues in the coming year, particularly increasing our joint commitment to build the capacity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.
“The U.S. is committed to assisting Nigeria to facilitate reforms in power generation and funding technical assistance for renewable energy initiatives.’’
He called for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to improve transparency, especially in the oil and gas sector.
On food security, Fitzgerald said that nearly 70 per cent of Nigerians engaged in agriculture or related trade.
Fitzgerald said that stronger implementation of Nigeria’s agriculture policy and commitments under its National Agricultural Investment Plan could provide large and inclusive economic gains for Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin Uhomoibhi said that the commission framework would foster strategic cooperation and result-oriented deliberations that would aid the nation’s development.
‘The whole world is watching and will have some lessons to learn from the commission and the way it is being conducted.
“We as Nigeria, places great value on our strategic relationship with the U.S., they are based on mutual respect and understanding for our two countries as key players on global affairs,’’ Uhomoibhi said.
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