AS events kicked into gear at the forum here in Washington DC on Wednesday, American firms arrived the venue in their numbers, salivating over the lucrative prospects that investment in Nigeria major infrastructure development affords them.
On site as well is sharpedgenews.com to cover the event. As of the time of filing this report, no less than 45 of such firms are on ground seeking to get a shoe-in Nigerian business. Also present are government officials, including the influential state governors seeking expert investors in what many of them see as the Nigerian Renaissance.
Playing a host of sorts to the assortment of dignitaries, American and Nigerian-based alike, is Mr. Ade Adefuye, the Nigerian ambassador to the United States.
In a chat with the sharpedgenews.com on Tuesday, Mr. Adefuye revealed that a powerful Nigerian delegation of at least 5 governors and eight federal ministers are expected at the event, which will be graced by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who sits in as guest of honor on behalf of President Goodluck E. Jonathan.
Sharpedgewnews.com reported last week on the Corporate Council for Africa-sponsored event, saying that works minister Mike Onolinime was in charge of coordinating the event, which holds from Wednesday October 10 through Thursday the 11th of October.
The forum highlighted a few of the infrastructure projects for which it seeks investors, including:
- The 37-kilometer Abuja Rail Transit Project, which is expected to come with 16 stations/stops. It is planned to connect with national rail line in Nassarawa State.
- The 631-kilometer 550-acre Caraway Dallas District Development project to provide residential and commercial accommodation in the Federal Capital City of Abuja.
- The Greater Abuja Water Supply Scheme, expected to serve about 35.5 thousand acres of developed land near and around the seat of power.
- The 4 to 6-lane ‘Golded Triangle Super Highway’ from Kiama to Sokoto, expected to link 30 cities and state capitals.
According to Ambassador Adefuye, investors in aviation, property development, water supply, rail transport, among others, have committed to being part of the 2-day event, where Nigerian officials as governors and ministers will discuss areas of potential investments with the representatives of the foreign firms.
The ambassador also told sharpedgenews.com that State Department officials form the United States will be visiting Nigeria with another set of foreign investors in the near future to explore further investment opportunities.
“Our goal is to effectively assist in the president’s economic transformation agenda so that by 2020 Nigeria will indeed be among the top 20 economies in the world with a GDP of $900B,” said Mr. Adefuye, shortly after a strategy meeting at the Nigeria Embassy in Washington, DC.
Mr. Mike Onolineme, the works and housing minister who coordinated event, said that the Nigerian government’s transformational agenda, along with the Vision 20:20:20 program, are unsustainable without major investment in infrastructure development.
According to him, local and foreign investments were needed in the infrastructure sector to drive economic growth in the country.
“Good and sustainable infrastructure is needed in Nigeria not only to serve as a catalyst for economic growth but also for the creative engagement of citizens for national development,” said Mr. Onolineme.
“Good infrastructure also provides a platform for the socio-political transformation of the nation,” he added.