The federal government announced on Wednesday that it has approved the sum of 13 billion Naira to offset the debts owed by Nigeria’s foreign mission around the world.
This was disclosed at the end of the week’s federal executive meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja, with President Goodluck Jonathan present to chair the event.
Ms. Valerie Onwuliri, the minister of state for external affairs who was present at the meeting, also told journalists that the governments of Nigeria and Venezuela had entered into an agreement concerning transit visas between the two countries.
According to her, both countries will now allow 90-day transit visas for their respective visitors with official or diplomatic passports.
The move follows recent efforts by the Jonathan Administration to ease travel requirements in other to spur economic growth through foreign investment.
Ms. Onwuliri pointed out that the success of the agreement is not unconnected to the reality that Nigeria remains an important destination, even with Venezuelans.
The minister also passed on the condolences of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to President Jonathan, over last week’s demise of the president’s younger brother.
Also at Wednesday’s federal executive meeting, the federal capital territory minister, Mr. Buba Muhammad, said the government approved the sum of 4.9 billion naira for major projects around the federal capital city.
According to Mr. Muhammad, a new presidential banquet hall is to be constructed at 2.2 million naira, while roadways in need of maintenance in some parts of the city will gulp no less than 2.7 billion naira.
‘’We notice that it is inconvenient, it is not in tandem with what is outside the country, even smaller countries have better Banquet Halls near the Presidential residence,” he said.
He also added that “part of the things we are going to provide there is 150-seater with all the facilities that will cover the work ways, security, Hall conveniences, technical room and press briefing room as destined from this one but that is more and more enhanced.”