Nigeria Gets £400m in UK Aid Yearly
The visiting British Minister for International Development,
Mr Nick Hurd, today in Lagos, disclosed that his government annually supports
Nigeria’s development programmes with 400 million pounds.
Hurd said the
fund is meant to support the provision of basic services that would improve the
lives of Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a very important partner to the people and
government of the United Kingdom. We annually invest about 400 million pounds
in supporting the development of Nigeria, as well as improving the quality of
life of the Nigerian people.
“We have been delivering basic education and health services
that would help Nigerian children educationally, as well as helping Nigerians
to have access to quality medical care,’’ he said.
The British official said that he was visiting to see for
himself how UK‘s development support for Nigeria was working on the ground, as
well as assess Nigeria’s current progresses.
The Minister, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time,
also announced his government’s interest in making sure that Nigeria was a good
place to do business.
Hurd said that his government was committed to making
Nigeria a
business destination and an investment country, which would
create job
opportunities for young Nigerians.
“We are currently working with the Nigerian Governments and
many private organisations in doing programmes, and providing advice, looking
at Nigeria’s laws and regulations.
“This is with a view to making Nigeria a better place for
foreigners and Nigerians to do business.
“We are also looking at the possibilities of making sure
that Nigeria has a good government, more transparency, accountability and less
corruption,’’ he said.
The Minister also restated his government’s commitment to
supporting Nigeria in her effort at ending the activities of Boko Haram in the
North-east, through training of the Nigeria military.
He said that his government was aware that without peace and
security, there would not be prosperity and development anywhere.
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