Nigeria has lots of Success stories despite insecurity – French Govt

The French Government says despite security challenges there are many success stories in Nigeria to reckon with for investors to come into the country.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquire made the statement during a visit to the Dala inland Dry Port and Kano Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) at Zawachiki Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State north Western Nigeria.

Pasquire said ”his mission to the Dala Inland Dry Port and other parts of Nigeria is to explore more opportunities in Nigeria and convince French investors to come in despite insecurity because there are many ongoing success stories across the nation.

“Each time I go to France, it is always complicated to convince the people because the Idea about Nigeria is insecurity, terrorism and a lot more.

“But I’m happy to tell them that the problem exists but there are many, many big successes in Nigeria. There are big projects that have developed in Nigeria. It is really possible for great business in Nigeria and this is one more example of the big projects (the Dala Inland Dry port).”

“I always tell them Projects can be located in southern and northern Nigeria. You should not only go to Lagos, as it is important to go to all the states including Kano State in northern Nigeria,” the French Ambassador said.

Pasquire said there are possibilities for French companies to come and invest in the KFTZ and Dala Inland Dry port as some of them were already established and working at the costal ports of Lagos southern Nigeria.

“We shall inform them about this your big and ambitious project so they will come.”

“We have many French companies involved in the import/export business and many of them are already working in Lagos, especially in the ports. One of them is managing the Lekki port and we have so many French companies that would want to know about your project. I’m sure they will contact you if they can do business with you,” the Ambassador said.

He said the French President Emmanuel Macron, who once stayed in Nigeria in the course of studies, has always wanted improved relationship with Nigeria, hence a special summit for some billionaires from Nigeria was organised in June this year to explore more opportunities for the both countries.

“Outside the billionaires, we also want to do business in so many other fields, especially tropical agriculture, education and more.

“I came to see things for myself and tell French investors that these things are real because seeing is believing.”

“I can tell them go there, these things are real because I have gone round the states and see them,” Pasquire explained.

The Managing Director, Dala Inland Dry Port, Ahmad Rabiu said; ”the French companies are welcome to the ancient city of Kano, which is also the second biggest commercial center in Nigeria,” stressing that the environment and the people are friendly.

He said; “Kano remains the most peaceful and attractive to do business in Nigeria. Kano people are very hospitable and friendly. They are kind in nature.”

According to him, the Dala Inland Dry port when completed, will assist the French in many ways including successful delivery of AIDS as the port using the Nigeria -Niger Republic railway line and will be able to deliver services to Niger, Chad republics, Cameroon, other Eastern and Central African countries.

“We will deliver them efficiently and at a very competitive cost,” Rabiu said.

He called on the French government with their expertise to assist, in the quest of the Dala Inland Dry port to become one of the best Inter Modal transport system on the African continent and possibly rob shoulders with others across the globe.

He said ”the Kano State Government under Governor Umar Ganduje has created condusive environment at the port by constructing standard roads, electricity and water supplies among others which were earlier challenges of the port.”

The Dala Inland port is a project that started 20 years ago as part of the free trade zones to boost Nigeria’s economy by providing movement for exportation of Goods from Nigeria and as vehicle for imported goods to enhance productivity in the Kano Free Trade Zone.

Rabiu also intimated the Ambassador on the position, workings of the Kano Free Trade Zone and protocols aspiring French companies need to pass through for businesses to take place.

“The major issue is that they are special economic/free trade zones.

They need to pass through NEPZA with a proposal on what they want to do and upon acceptance, they would be made to pay for the land size they need.”

“What we also want to do is to have segment of investors; those who are going to come in and build wharehouses. Anybody who want to use or take a part of it and develop it will now pay to them. Others can come in as custom built structure by building and using the facility only to themselves,” Rabiu explained.

The Kano free trade zone is occupying about 165 hecters of land and has the capability for expansion to 300 hecters, even to 1000.

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere