Country, Niger Partner to Tackle Poverty

from All Africa

This Day (Lagos)

By Funmi Peter-Omale
Abuja

The Nigerian government and its Nigerien counterpart have resolved to tackle poverty as well as renew cooperation between both countries.

Minister of Commerce and Industry for Nigeria, Engr. Charles Ugwuh and his Nigerien counterpart, Halidou Badje, announced this at a joint press briefing in Abuja.

According to Badje, "When we talk about our countries we are not talking about border problems or trade barriers. We are talking about how the peoples of the two countries are living together and working together. I want to say that the authorities of our two countries are working against poverty; we must work together to fight poverty. I want to assure that the Nigerien government will collaborate with the Nigerian authorities."

Also speaking, Ugwuh noted that Nigeria and Niger have a common history as well as share a number of things in common including marriage and trade.

"During the course of this meeting, we are going to be discussing a number of issues bordering on trade, and all other activities both formal and informal. We are looking at ways of helping each other and strengthening our bilateral relationship to bring about posterity to our people."

The Nigerien Minister in charge of Competitiveness and Fight against High Living, Abdou Daouda noted that the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission of Cooperation had gone a long way in fostering a special relationship between the two countries.

"Our meeting aims to consolidate common issues including the impact of economic partnership between the European Union and Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group, the development of commercial exchanges and exchange of experiences in trade stabilisation and price control.

"The will of our governments to solve social issues and respond to the requirements of a better competitiveness of our production units in the world economic space looking for a change in technology, economy and institution can not be over emphasised." The meeting thereafter went into a close door session.