Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has said that Nigeria is prepared to work with foreign investors interested in growing the nation’s economy.
Fashola stated this when a delegation of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Under-Secretary of State, Mr Matti Anttonen, visited him in his office on Thursday in Abuja.
He added that the ministry was determined to achieve diversification of the economy, hence the need to collaborate with foreign investors committed to transform Nigeria’s challenges into opportunities.
“So, as much as possible, we need to have players and investors operating from within here; not briefcase investors or suitcase investors.
“So, we will work with those who want to establish very solid footprints here; grow within our economy; work with us to turn our challenges into opportunities for our people.
“We want to collaborate with investors who would play by our rules in order to create inclusion and mutual benefit,” he said.
Fashola expressed confidence that Nigeria would benefit immensely from Finland’s wealth of experience in power distribution and energy saving technologies.
He said that Nigeria looked forward to foreign investors coming to boost local production of solar panels to help reduce the tariff and create jobs for the people.
The minister described the visit by the delegation as very “constructive,’’ adding that it would afford the ministry the opportunity to help address the difficulties investors were contending with in the country.
Earlier, Anttonen said that the delegation was in Nigeria to further strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
He added that Finland had knowledge to share with Nigeria in the area of power distribution to help reduce losses of power between the generation and distribution companies.
“We have a long standing relationship with Nigeria but the economic side has not been very strong.
“So, we are here to discuss ways to further boost economic ties between our two countries.
“Finland has the knowledge to help Nigeria in addressing some of the challenges in the power distribution chain for enhanced power supply,’’ he said.
The delegation comprised the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury and some businessmen from its energy sector.