Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at ending
visa acquisition by holders of official and diplomatic passports.
Ministers from both countries have been charged to
ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed instruments and the
conclusion of outstanding agreements.
Both Presidents, Jacob Zuma and Goodluck Jonathan met in Cape Town, South Africa where various issues were discussed on how to improve on relationship between both countries as they agreed on so many issues aimed at boosting development in the continent.
Beside the visas waiver agreement both countries also signed eight other bilateral agreements which include, cooperation in legal field, oil and gas sectors, power sector development, environment,defence cooperation, women development and empowerment as well as child development.
The bilateral agreements also cover geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy and fields of information and communication technology.
For both presidents, stronger ties between both countries is necessary if the continent’s fortune is to be improved.
In his view, President Zuma said, ”we have a duty to take this historic relationship further. Our two countries have already grown very warm bilateral relations structured through the bi-national commission that was officially inaugurated in 1999,”.
The meeting also afforded President Zuma the opportunity to express his joy also the number of South African companies doing businesses in Nigeria, the biggest investment being in the telecommunication sector.
He further noted that it is the intention of South Africa to expand to other sectors such as engineering, construction, banking, oil and the media.
He also advocated for both countries to promote people to people relationship especially through tourism which he said has generated huge Foreign Direct Investment for the country.
“Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists which is an 13.8percent increase from 2011 contributing about 720million Rands to the South African economy within the period.”
In his responding, President Jonathan, described the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries is a major achievement that would enhance the critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in transforming the continent,
The President later addressed joined session of the South African parliament where he re-echoed the need for the two countries to strengthen partnership in growing the continent’s economy.
Both Presidents, Jacob Zuma and Goodluck Jonathan met in Cape Town, South Africa where various issues were discussed on how to improve on relationship between both countries as they agreed on so many issues aimed at boosting development in the continent.
Beside the visas waiver agreement both countries also signed eight other bilateral agreements which include, cooperation in legal field, oil and gas sectors, power sector development, environment,defence cooperation, women development and empowerment as well as child development.
The bilateral agreements also cover geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy and fields of information and communication technology.
For both presidents, stronger ties between both countries is necessary if the continent’s fortune is to be improved.
In his view, President Zuma said, ”we have a duty to take this historic relationship further. Our two countries have already grown very warm bilateral relations structured through the bi-national commission that was officially inaugurated in 1999,”.
The meeting also afforded President Zuma the opportunity to express his joy also the number of South African companies doing businesses in Nigeria, the biggest investment being in the telecommunication sector.
He further noted that it is the intention of South Africa to expand to other sectors such as engineering, construction, banking, oil and the media.
He also advocated for both countries to promote people to people relationship especially through tourism which he said has generated huge Foreign Direct Investment for the country.
“Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists which is an 13.8percent increase from 2011 contributing about 720million Rands to the South African economy within the period.”
In his responding, President Jonathan, described the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries is a major achievement that would enhance the critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in transforming the continent,
The President later addressed joined session of the South African parliament where he re-echoed the need for the two countries to strengthen partnership in growing the continent’s economy.
Tags
Politics
GEJ is not helping this country. By giving waiver to govt and political appointees of senior ranking does it translate to business or economic activities. Does he have an idea how many Nigerians economically inclined visiting SA on daily basis. instead of extending it to the business community, they are limiting it to themselves for more of our foreign reserve to fly? Priority must be given to those SMEs doing business between the two countries not govt officials. With this now, anyone of them can sneak in and out with our money to buy houses in Pretoria and Durban? What is the economic value of this decision? A Rethink pls
ReplyDelete@ Remmy abeg tell dem ma Broda. As if it was difficult 4 d Dipolmats 2 obtain visa's b4,Gej supose 2 consider dose doing Business so as 2 boost our country's economy as well as South.abi He wan tell us say d million Rands dey made last year 4rm Nigerian Tourists was 4rm only d Diplomats? Gej shud try 2 v d masses @ heart wen taking such major decisons He can't please every 1 but atlist He can do better dan dat.
Delete@Remmy at times you guys read things about GEJ from backwards..What is the meaning of CANCLE and acquisition? He cancles the acquisitions by the ministers and other diplomats to discourage frequent travels by the public servants.From this no minister will travel to South Africa based on his or diplomatic passport.
ReplyDeleteMay God help us. The house is burning and our big oga is busy chasing rats. Every one knows these policies only favour those who have stolen our money in huge quantities and are looking for where to bank or invest them. Oga make policies or investments that will favour the masses or the low income citizens. Mackqueen007 08035760555
ReplyDeleteyou guys are hopelessly Unappreciative. Cant you for once appreciate Mr President? Nigerians we must learn to be grateful. Always condemning
ReplyDeleteWhat is the hopelessness in this case,that they are plesing themself out of our pain?GEJ don't ve d common mass in mind,they are only doing things to favour themself,NA THEM THEM.
ReplyDeletesentimental NIgerians! Must you always condemn our president in all he does? Is he not better than Obasanjo? The mass, the mass, one won't hear! Do u know what leadersHip is all about. Try and @least lead the youths of your church and see how difficult it is. You all should lEt Mr. President do what seem right to him and stop your criticisms.
ReplyDelete