Nigeria welcomes Netherlands support on Lake Chad
*As PM Rutte lauds Buhari on economy, others
“On the economy, Prime Minister Rutte congratulated Nigeria on the enormous strides being recorded, including Nigeria’s rising profile on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business.”
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has described the the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting the country on tackling insurgency in the North East, climate change, particularly the shrinkage of Lake Chad as a welcome development.
This commitment was communicated to President Buhari, in the course of his official visit to the Netherlands during which he met with the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, at The Hague on Monday.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, copies of which was obtained by The DEFENDER, disclosed this positive disposition of the Dutch country towards Nigeria.
According to Adesina, President Buhari and PM Tutte, during the Monday meeting, discussed issues relating to the fight against insurgency in the North East, climate change, particularly the shrinkage of Lake Chad, economic cooperation, the fight against corruption and a range of other issues of mutual interest.
The Nigerian leader highlighted the progress made in the fight against insurgency in the North East, and the Dutch Prime Minister pledged the support of his government to the anti-terrorism efforts in the region.
In this context, President Buhari raised the issue of the humanitarian situation in the region, the receding of the Lake Chad and its impact on the economy of the communities living in the area.
The Nigerian leader stressed the need for workable solutions to restore the Lake Chad, including the inter-basin water transfer project from Ubangi River in Central Africa to the Lake.
The President welcomed the interest of the Dutch Prime Minister on Lake Chad and commitment to establish a technical committee to work with the Nigerian side on the best approach to address the issue.
President Buhari also expressed the firm commitment of his administration to recover more stolen funds and assets of the country stashed abroad and looked forward to working closely with the Netherlands on this.
On the economy, Prime Minister Rutte congratulated Nigeria on the enormous strides being recorded, including Nigeria’s rising profile on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business.
He noted that the Netherlands is one of Nigeria’s biggest trading partners, and the two leaders agreed on the need for more collaboration to increase trade.
