23 August 2012, Sweetcrude, Abuja – A strong contingent of business men from Bloemfontein, the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa are billed to visit Nigeria shortly to engage the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC in areas of mutual interest and cooperation.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the NNPC Towers, Abuja on Wednesday, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, said the proposed visit is informed by the need to further strengthen economic ties with Nigeria in the spirit of African brotherliness and economic integration.
The High Commissioner who was received by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andy Yakubu noted that it is very important for the two brotherly African nations to look inward and work together so as to harness the abundant mineral and human resources of the continent in order to develop Africa and its people.
“With the economic crises in the European countries, it is high time we came together and strengthened our economic relationship for the benefit of the continent,” the high Commissioner enthused.
Speaking on the various interactions the Corporation has had with South African government and companies, the GMD said the NNPC is always ready to work hand-in-hand with them, stressing that the mutual relationship would ultimately impact on the growth of Africa.
Yakubu stated that the time has come for the two countries to leverage on their strength in the areas of abundant mineral resources, human resources and cutting edge technology to reposition the continent for rapid growth.
“We have come a long way and with the abundant natural resources, human resources and cutting edge technology in our countries, I am optimistic that when we bring all these potentials together, we would be able to form a formidable force that could compete favourable with any other continent in the world,” Engr. Yakubu submitted.
He added that as a Corporation, the NNPC is willing to share its technical expertise in the area of exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.