…Buhari assures on security
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the business community in Qatar that Nigeria would remove any impediment that could hinder investment in the country.
He who gave the assurance at a meeting with senior executives of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry with some private businessmen in Doha, noted that security was essential to prosperity and development.
“Nobody invests without first knowing how secure a country is. That is why we have placed high premium on securing the country, because you cannot effectively manage a country you have not secured.
“My party campaigned on three main planks: security, employment generation and anti-corruption.
“We campaigned on zero corruption, promising that we would run an accountable government and we are keeping our promises.”
On the effect of crash of oil price on Nigeria’s economy, President Buhari said that Nigeria was blessed with vast arable land for agriculture, and has rich deposit of solid minerals, assuring that investors would reap huge returns in a short while.
“Agriculture and solid minerals will mobilise youths for gainful employment. We have the capacity to produce what we need and not to import food at all. “But we need to also tackle infrastructure deficit in power, transportation, rail, road, and in other areas. We will put together an articulated plan, which would be discussed with you shortly, so that you can make investment decisions.
“All impediments like delayed processing of permits, multiple taxation, and corrupt practices, would be removed,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Qatari businessmen, Muhammed Bin Ahmed Bin Towar Al Kuwari, Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said they would be interested in the finance, oil and gas, telecommunications, tourism, agriculture and food processing sectors, among others.
“All eyes are on Africa in the next decade. Africa is the next place for growth, the rest of the world is looking towards the continent, and Nigeria is an important part of that continent,” he said.