Netherlands pledges support for Nigeria’s urban renewal

The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. John Groffen, on Friday expressed his country’s readiness to support Nigeria in its urban renewal programmes.

Groffen said that his government would be working with the new administration in Nigeria in re-development of major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

“I must say there is a continuum in Nigeria and Netherlands relations, which has been excellent over the years.

“One new area of cooperation with Nigeria would be concentrating more in areas of commercial and urbanisation.

“We are looking at the possibility of working with Nigeria in further development of cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.”

The envoy said the move was to make the cities attractive with modern infrastructure to make them to become habitable for Nigerians and foreigners.

Groffen said further that his government was going to be consolidating on its existing partnership with Nigeria in the years ahead.

The ambassador, who said that there were currently 30 Dutch companies in Nigeria, said that many more Dutch companies had indicated interest to invest in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

Groffen, however, said it was imperative for the Nigerian Government to create the enabling environment for more Dutch companies to come and invest in Nigeria’s six-geo political zones.

“The Nigerian Government needs to make sure that the right environment is created for investment.

“We have always had good economic relations with Nigeria, and I think we can do better,” he said.