United Arab Emirate (UAE) has expressed readiness to partner with Bayelsa government towards developing Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
They highlighted their areas of support to include; gas, agriculture and seaport resources among others.
This was made known by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, who appreciated the state Governor, senator Douye Diri for his great work in the state during a meeting held at the embassy in Abuja recently.
He commended the state governor for establishing a new ministry on blue economy in order to develop the state’s maritime potentialities effectively and also for maintaining peace and successful elections in the state.
“We appreciate this visit and the opportunity to explore areas of cooperation and support. Also ready to discuss any area of interest between Bayelsa and Abu Dhabi and willing to support the state towards developing its oil and gas resources, its agricultural sector and the seaport. The Dubai Ports will meet with your team and they can discuss how to develop your seaport. We will arrange a meeting with the ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) team on oil and gas development as well as with our Agriculture Minister”, he said.
He appreciated the relationship between his country and Nigeria, stating that all outstanding issues between both countries will be resolved soon. Also commended Nigerians for their resilience in the face of the country’s economic challenges, saying they are ready to support President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria to overcome it.
Senator Douye Diri appreciated the team and its opportunity of meeting with them, noting that their visit was divine as the ambassador already had in mind virtually all he wanted to discuss with him.
“The state seeks private investors to develop its seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area and expressed excitement about the proposal of the envoy, saying the port will serve the whole of the Niger Delta and the South East. Bayelsa was an oil and gas-rich state but is seeking investors on gas as an alternative revenue source and as the country transits to gas”, he said.
