FG Seeks Review of Technical Cooperation Agreement with Germany
James Emejo in Abuja
The federal government yesterday called for a review of the 1974 Technical Cooperation Agreement governing its relations with the German Government.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr. Nebolisa Anako, also said discussion has been initiated by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) with the German Embassy.
Speaking at a meeting with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ms. Svenja Schulze, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry, Anako, conveyed profound appreciation on behalf of the federal government to the German Government for its continuous and unwavering support to Nigeria.
He specifically commended the existing cordial relationship between both countries particularly for all the various projects being funded by the German Government through the KFW Development Bank and the projects executing agency, the German International Cooperation (GIZ).
He said the visit provided an opportunity to discuss and exchange views on the future bilateral cooperation and provide the forum for a coordinated approach to enhance the economic cooperation between both countries.
The permanent secretary further expressed delight that the four priority areas which the German Government is currently supporting Nigeria are well aligned with the latter’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2021- 2025.
According to him, these include sustainable economic development, training and employment, transformation of agri-food systems, climate and energy: and health, social protection and population policy among others.
He also assured of the federal government’s commitment towards achieving the mutual objectives of the Nigerian- German Development Cooperation.
Schulze, however, commended the existing partnerships between both countries which started in 1960.
She said the visit would strengthen bilateral relations as well as discuss new partnerships in view of the changing global dynamics and regional security threats.
The German envoy also stressed the need for greater collaborations amid regional threats resulting from forced changes of government in West Africa especially Niger, as well as a growing distillation of threats from terrorism, food insecurity and climate change.
She said partnerships and networks are crucial to achieving worldwide development goals.
Schulze said going forward, Germany’s African partnership will focus more on social, and environmentally friendliness as well as gender equity in all areas of its corporation including sustainable economic development and trade.
She said the objectives were to support creation of sustainable jobs in Africa and facilitate the transition towards low carbon economies.
She added among other things that the overarching goal of its development corporation with Nigeria was to increase employment opportunities for young people and women to improve the lives of the population.
