Sweden, Switzerland pledge support for power devt in Nigeria

Abuja – Sweden and Switzerland have pledged their support for the development of Nigeria’s power and infrastructure sectors.

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr Eric Mayoraz, and his Swedish counterpart, Mr Svante Kilander, pledged the support when they accompanied the Managing Director of ABB in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Hosseiny, on a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Amb. Kilander told State House correspondents after the visit that the team had a fruitful discussion with the vice president.

“We assured the vice president that the Swedish and Swiss governments are fully behind the activities of ABB Power Company in their activities in Nigeria.

“There is a full government support for this Swedish/Swiss company.’’

The envoy described the relations between Nigeria and Sweden as excellent, saying: “we are happy to be able to promote not only government-to-government relations, but also the relations between Swedish and Nigerian companies.

“This is where development is taking place, where Nigeria is in such a dynamic stage as it is now under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President,’’ Kilander said.

Also, Mayoraz told State House correspondents that Switzerland would support the development initiatives of the Buhari administration.

“Switzerland, like Sweden, is committed to supporting the new development policy of the new administration of President Buhari and we are supporting our companies that are willing to invest in development activities here in Nigeria.’’

He declined comment on the challenges facing Nigeria, saying it was the right of Nigerians to assess what the government was doing.

The ambassador acknowledged that Switzerland and Sweden have excellent bi-lateral relations, saying: “if we can try to cooperate for the success of the development of Nigeria, we will be very pleased.’’

In his contribution, the Country Managing Director, ABB, Mr Mohammed Hosseiny, said that the meeting was about how the company could play a role in providing Nigeria with power for the development of infrastructure.

He added that the discussion focused on the nature of solutions ABB had to support the development in both areas as a follow up to the visit of its Group CEO to Nigeria on Monday.

“He (Group CEO) was really impressed with the opportunities and the development of the country and we were in discussion on how the ABB can play a role in this support for Nigeria for the development of the power infrastructure.’’

The managing director said that the response of the vice president was very positive.

“He is aware of the company and he has stressed the need to move forward to the next steps in this power and infrastructure development,’’ he said.

NAN reports that ABB is a joint venture power generation and transmission partnership between Switzerland and Sweden. (NAN)