Nigeria, South Africa sign MOU on cooperation
May 23, 2012 18:02:05pm GMT
Nigeria-South Africa flags
Cape Town (WorldStage Newsonline)-- Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday trashed out some issues that have pitched two of the continent’s super powers against each other at the 8th Session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town.
As part of efforts to improve on frosty relationship over the years, after much deliberation, both countries signed Memorandum of Understanding and also an agreement which bothers on immigration regulations and other impediments that have denied Nigerians opportunities of doing business in South Africa.
The Nigeria's delegation to the bi-national was led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, while his South Africa counterpart, Kgalema Motlanthe led his country’s delegation.
Others on the delegation include Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers and Seidu Dakingari of Kebbi, ministers of Defence Haliru Bello Mohammed, Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, Solid Minerals Development, Musa Sada.
The two MOUs which were signed under the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission are the one on the implementation plan on existing bi-national and matters arising from the bi-national meeting and also MOU on economic and Technical cooperation. Also, an agreement on mutual assistance on custom administrations was also signed.
Nigeria and South Africa have had difficulties in coming to agreement over issues in the last four years and the climax to the frosty relationship was the recent diplomatic row which ensued when South Africa had denied over one hundred Nigerians on board Arik Air entry on the excuse that their Yellow Fever vaccine cards were not genuine. But the Nigeria government stoutly refused to accept the excuse, on the ground that for about ten years now, the country has been yanked off the list of yellow fever endangered countries by World Health Organization (WHO) and registering its anger, Nigeria retaliated by deporting over two hundred South Africans. Nigeria also asked for apology, which it got before the issue was resolved.
Hence, the 8th Nigeria-South Africa BI—National was an opportunity to resolve the whole issues and other more that has seen both countries going in different directions on issues that affected the continent.
In a joint briefing at the end of the meeting which was climaxed by the signing of MOUs and an agreement, Sambo and Motlanthe said both countries have until now been short-changing themselves to the extent that the current state of relations is not a true reflection of what it ought to be.
Vice President Sambo also asked the South African government to reciprocate Nigeria gesture to its businessmen, by removing barriers which hindered Nigerians from doing business in South Africa.
“Our bilateral relations have grown remarkably since the elevation of our strategic partnership, the Bi-National Commission more than a decade ago. I believe that this meeting which will witness the signing of additional memorandum of understanding and other agreement that will further open doors for more enduring and meaningful cooperation between our two countries,” he said.
“As we move forward in our joint effort towards enhancing our bilateral relations, there is still room for improvement. We can explore new and deepening existing areas of cooperation to include collaboration in the fight against emerging security challenges like international terrorism, cyber crime and even human trafficking.
“We cannot afford to relent considering the fast pace at which the world is moving, the high hopes and aspirations of other African countries in Nigeria and South Africa as catalysts for growth and sustainable development of the continent. Nigeria welcomes more South African investors in infrastructure development, mining and solid minerals, value chain in agriculture, oil and gas and energy, as part of our efforts towards the achievement of our objective of vision 202020 the medium term blue print for our national development.
“In this conception I wish to heighten the fact that the power sectors like others have been deregulated and liberalized to facilitate partnership and to guarantee profitable returns on investment. I believe that well established reputable operators and experienced South African power companies are among the bidding process that is going on now that will unbundle the power sector for the private sector participation in Nigeria.
“The outcome of our meeting today including the signing of MOUs and agreement will hardly yield the desired results without the political will to implement our decisions. That is why we must follow up on the signed agreement to facilitate the desired e economic and technical cooperation to stimulate growth, job creation and development of our industries and our economies. while we encourage the participation of global partners in our economies, i am convinced that a lot more can be archived through intra Africa investment and trade.
“African nations must do business with each other as well as invest in each other's economy. I believe that an increase in trade and investment between our two countries will provide the necessary tunic that can fuel the long term growth of our continent. In this regards, our counties must both work tirelessly to drive the early realization of African integration agenda. In our efforts to create a borderless Africa we must together move this our relationship beyond government and institution, we must encourage private sector participation, people to people interaction as a conscious effort to create better understanding and awareness amongst our people about our inextricable future and ourselves as Africans with the rich cultural history.
We must do this whether the level of businessmen, professionals, academics, tourists or the ordinar folks.
“Nigeria remains the gateway for South Africa to the West African sub-region in terms of market access, foreign direct investment and bilateral trade. With the deregulated and liberalized environment and consumer population of over 167 million people, Nigeria remains the spring board towards into West African Market. I am aware that issues have been raised about the deficits of infrastructure in Nigeria, in our views this in itself is the reason to invest in infrastructural development in those areas where the deficits exists such as roads, railway, power and agriculture in view of their multiplied effects on other sectors of the economy and the general investment climate.
“Let me seize this opportunity to call for the removal of regulatory impediments that tends to hamper Nigerian businesses and investors from participating fully in South African economic activities. This will ensure mutually beneficial economic relations and equity. We must promote the welfare and economic welbei g of our people by sharing our prosperity and opportunities for wealth and job creation in each others country,” Sambo said.
On his part, Motlanthe noted that the heart to heart talk had helped to clear up all the irritants that may have served as a wedge between both countries.
He noted that failure by Nigeria and South Africa to live up to the true potential of their relationship had been robbing both countries of the maximum benefits they could have reaped from optimal relations.
He further argued that strong relations between both countries are not only in the interest of Nigeria and South Africa but in the interest of the continent.
On the way forward, South Africa Deputy President said they will ensure the implementation of the decisions reached at the two day meeting.
He also said that the Bi-National Commission ought to be a turning point whereby both countries irreversibly recast their relations to reflect the need to work closer.
As part of charting a new way forward, he said South Africa would be doing more business with Nigeria, including making Nigeria its supplier of fuel. He also said that South Africa will embark on deliberate policy that will see Nigerian companies with the required ability like in the area of cement for construction to set up in South Africa.
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