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The British government has expressed readiness to explore business and trade opportunities with Nigeria to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, stated this when he visited Governor Umo Eno in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
“The Commission in Lagos has a commercial focus, and we are looking at business and trade in the southern areas.
“I want to get as many Southern States as I can, and I have long been looking forward to getting to Akwa Ibom State, and the reason is reinforced by Ibom Air, which to my mind feels like one of the best flight carriers for the State in so many ways, and everyone should be extraordinarily proud of it.
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“I have been impressed by what I have seen so far here. I have barely been here for 24 hours, but already the infrastructure, the roads, are very clearly balanced, and just looking at the scenery here, how green and lush Akwa Ibom is, I can really see the agricultural potential of the State and other investments,” he said.
He said he was impressed by the friendly ambience of the state, adding that the infrastructure, especially the road network, were pointers to quality leadership.
While expressing satisfaction with the “exceptional service delivery” by the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, he described it as one of the best airlines in this part of the world.
According to him, Ibom Air is a major avenue to boost the rich tourism and hospitality potentials of the state, adding that the state also has a huge potential in agriculture given its green and lush environment.
The British envoy assured the government of his country’s readiness to partner the state on key economic areas to promote investments and ensure good bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Britain, and the sub-nationals, with a duty-free trade assurance.
Receiving Baxter and his team, Governor Umo Eno commended the delegation, acknowledging Nigeria’s age-long historical relationship with the United Kingdom and its diverse humanitarian programmes.
“This special relationship has also been extended to the sub-nationals, like ours. It may interest you to know that in recognition of this special relationship, my administration has been working with the Tony Blair Institute in strategic areas, particularly tourism development, and I commend them for their kind partnership with us,” he said.
He disclosed that the State Government had in recent past, sponsored students from the State for strategic educational tour to the United Kingdom to enrich their knowledge and expose them to a different learning environment.
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According to Governor Eno, the idea was to make them see the limitless possibilities in life to underscore the fact that places of their birth cannot limit them if they are focused on learning and are disciplined enough.
“That was basically done to show them that the world actually is a stage where everyone can play. That was the motivation for that trip, and it is paying off. We are planning a second trip. We hope we can partner with the Commission to help with that trip,” he noted.
The governor revealed that the state was developing its economic zones, including the Liberty Oil and Gas free trade zones, Ibom Industrial City, and Itam Industrial Park in Uyo.
“We want to work with an investor to power the Park so that it can run off- grid and provide power to industries that want to operate there.”
Governor Eno further highlighted projects planned to be kick-started by the State to include: Tree crop revolution, Ikot Ekpene International Market, Rural Electrification Project, etc.
“Let me also inform you that Akwa Ibom is the first sub-national in Nigeria to create an Aviation Ecosystem, and we are seriously building on that.
“Apart from Ibom Air, we are nearing the completion of our MRO, and we would like to look for opportunities for managers or people that can help manage that MRO and our terminal building too.”
Governor Eno reeled out the potentials and positive ripple effects of the State’s ARISE Resort to be completed and inaugurated before the year runs out, reiterating that the Resort promises to be a tourist hub in the country.
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Impressed by the Governor’s achievement within two years as captured by a brief documentary presentation, Mr. Baxter thereafter took a tour of some facilities of the State government, especially the ARISE Resort, and expressed satisfaction with the project transformed from a 70 – hectare erosion ravine disaster.
Other members of the delegation were; the Country Director, Department for Business and Trade, Lagos, Mark Smithson; Senior Political Adviser, Head, British High Commission South South Regional Office, Fortune Alfred; and Senior Political Adviser, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Wale Adebajo.
On hand to receive the delegation with the Governor were; the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
