Nigeria Should Be Involved In Post-war Liberia, Says Minister

by Kikelomo Okereh

The Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), says Nigeria should be involved in the economic and social reconstruction and development of post-war Liberia.

A statement issued from the ministry said Kayode made the remark recently in Abuja when he received the Liberian Ambassador, Prof. Al-Hassan Conteh, in his office.

The statement signed by the Assistant Director, Press Unit of the Ministry, Mr Mobolaji Yusuf, said Nigeria had sacrificed both men and materials to restore peace to Liberia.

``He recalled the effort and sacrifice made by Nigerian troops to restore peace to Liberia and said that now that the war was over and we are now in the era of rebuilding the country, Nigeria should be number one ally and partner in this area.

``The minister stated that Nigeria had through the Technical Aids Corps programme sent Nollywood film experts, teachers, medical personnel as well as armed forces to post-war Liberia,'' the statement said.
It also quoted the minister as saying that some young Liberians were being trained at the Nigeria Defence Academy while Nigeria was ready to partner with Liberia to train its pilots, help build barracks and roads as well as provide other social services.

The statement said Conteh thanked the minister on behalf of the President and people of Liberia for his warm reception, and promised to convey Nigeria's offer to his home government.
``He said that but for the effort of Nigeria, Liberia would not have being enjoying peace today.

``Liberians are grateful to Nigeria for its sacrifice of both men and material resources.
`` I appreciate both the civil and military relationship that exist between the two countries and hope that Nigeria will continue to be a good friend,'' the statement said.

It further said Conteh expressed the need for the setting up of a joint commission between the two countries to further strengthen their trade, social and economic relations.

Sambo Tasks Stakeholders On Egbin Power Project

Vice President Namadi Sambo recently directed that all issues impeding the completion of the Egbin Power Station be resolved forthwith.
Sambo gave the directive at a meeting with stakeholders and contractors handling the project.

He said the purpose of the meeting was to unravel the issues that had stalled its completion.
He said the project was one of the major power stations in the country, and should not be abandoned when the government should be celebrating its completion.

The vice president directed the stakeholders to meet with the Presidential Committee set up to address all labour issues relating to the project, with a view to sorting out gray areas in terms of composition and timing.
He promised to follow up with the relevant quarters for the payment of the initial N67 billion meant for the settlement of outstanding claims by the workers.

In her remark, the acting Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa, expressed the hope that the project would provide additional 2,370 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

She said the agreement for the new contract was to be approved by the Federal Executive Council while contracts for gas supply with Shell and Chevron were yet to be signed.
Newsday reports that the station needs 330 million cubic meters to power it.