The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EU

  • EU votes N8b for NDLEA’s safety equipment

    EU votes N8b for NDLEA’s safety equipment

    The European Union, (EU) has said  it will be supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with safety and screening equipment valued at 36 million euros (about N8billion)  over the

    next 50 months.

    The EU also said it would continue to train and retrain the personnel in its efforts to combat the movement of illicit drugs into and outside the country.

    Head, EU Delegate to Nigeria, Amb. Michel Arron who spoke in Lagos during a meeting with the NDLEA, explained that the essence of the support was for the agency and the country at large to be able to improve law enforcement capacity in drug control and tackle organised drug –related crimes in the country.

    In the first phase of the collaboration, the EU donated 100 desktop computers and 15 laptops, stressing that this would help in boosting anti-drug agency’s capability to gather and process data.

    He argued that the donation would also assist the NDLEA to achieve three objectives, which include; policy formulation and improve drug legislation, coordination of the sector and improve law enforcement of  capacity in drug control and tackling organised drug- related and to enhance drug prevention, treatment and care services adapted to Nigeria conditions.

    Arrion said words needed to be turned to action by people on the ground with the very best information, data and access to the latest technologies available, adding that as a result, reliable data about drug trafficking and drug abuse in Nigeria was required.

    The Ambassador stated that under the project, two full scale national survey on cannabis production and drug use in the country were currently being conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in close collaboration with NDLEA with all necessary means including satellite images being used to measures the scale of cannabis cultivation to questionnaires related to drug use to be completed at the local communities.

    He said: “The desktops are to help NDLEA to have good IT platform, analyse information and collect data. The laptops is to enable NDLEA to know the next move of drug traffickers  and to make NDLEA a very proactive organisation.”

    The Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended EU and UNODC for its support to drug control programmes in Nigeria, adding that EU’s donation demonstrates its willingness to assist countries in the implementation of International drug convention.

    He said  the challenges posed by illicit drug cultivation ,trafficking and abuse are enormous, adding that NDLEA believe that through shared responsibility, greater progress would be made in prosecuting the illicit drug war.

  • EU imports from Nigeria hit N6tr

    EU imports from Nigeria hit N6tr

    The European Union imports from Nigeria were valued at N6 trillion in 2013, the EU Ambassador, Head of Delegation to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Michel Arrion has said.

    Speaking at the EU-Nigeria business forum held in Lagos, he said EU investments in  Nigeria as at the end of last year reached N5.7 trillion and is still counting.

    “EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in Nigeria grew from N5.3 trillion in 2011 to N5.7 trillion in 2012. The EU is also Nigeria’s most important trading partner,” he said.

    He added that though “Nigeria maintains a positive trade balance with the EU and the EU remains the biggest market for both oil and non-oil exports (such as leather, cocoa, sesame, etc.), it is imperative to address the EU- Nigeria relationship towards a more diversified composition and a strengthened ECOWAS regional market”.

    He advised Nigeria to pursue regional integration in trade and commerce as it would be the biggest beneficiary.

    “The European Union is the most accomplished example of regional integration at work. Integration has led to competitiveness within the union, removal of obstacles to free movement of goods, services and people and led to greater prosperity for EU citizens. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and the industrial hub of West Africa. Nigeria must see the West African market as an extension of its domestic economy because Nigeria stands to be the greatest beneficiary of an integrated West African market,” he explained.

    He added: “This is what the EPA seeks to achieve; consolidation of the regional markets, promotion of regional trade, removal of barriers to trade while protecting sectors that are considered sensitive to the economies of the ECOWAS member states. We must understand that it is not a bilateral but a regional issue and Nigeria must seize the leadership role and drive this integration.”

    Meanwhile, the volume of trade between Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) also peaked at N1.9 trillion last year, said David Heath, UK’s Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, at the conference.

    He said Nigeria has a slight trade advantage over the UK in the figure, but didn’t provide specific data to support the claim.

  • Ebola: EU, ECOWAS warn against border closure, isolation

    Ebola: EU, ECOWAS warn against border closure, isolation

    The European Union and the Economic Community of West African States have warned against closure of borders or isolation of countries affected by Ebola Virus Disease.

    EU and ECOWAS said such action could be counter-productive.

    Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are most hit by the virus that has killed over 2,000 people in the last six months.

    Nigeria had also been hit by the virus that was imported into the country by a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer. Seven people had been killed by Ebola in the country.

    The appeal was made at the 10th Edition of the ECOWAS/Development Partners Annual Coordination Meeting held in Abuja.

    Officials from both regional bodies and other institutions are meeting for days to discuss the virus, terrorism and other issues.

    The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion, in his remark explained that closing borders against Ebola ravaged countries was not the solution to containing the spread of the virus.

    “There is the need to isolate the virus, but there is no need to isolate the countries,” he stated.

    Arrion said that if the sub-region’s ability fails, the whole West African countries may face an extremely dangerous threat to public health and security with the scourge of the disease.

    The ECOWAS Commission’s President, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, while speaking with journalists, said although it is important that borders are not closed, member states must be very conscious in terms of surveillance.

    “I want to appeal to all ECOWAS member states not to close their borders, not to isolate the affected countries because this will be counter-productive. We should cultivate the spirit of solidarity,” Ouedraogo said.

     

  • Russia ‘will react’ to EU sanctions

    Russia ‘will react’ to EU sanctions

    Russia has vowed to respond if the European Union imposes new sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.

    The EU said the sanctions, targeting more Russian individuals, will come in on Monday but could be suspended if Russia withdraws troops from east Ukraine and observes a current truce.

    The ceasefire, agreed in Belarus on Friday, appears to be largely holding.

    Some 2,600 people have died since a pro-Russian rebellion began in eastern Ukraine in April.

    The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: “As for the new list of sanctions from the European Union, if they are passed, there will undoubtedly be a reaction from our side.”

    The BBC reports that the fresh sanctions would add another 24 people to the list of people barred from entering the EU and whose assets have been frozen.

    There were no reports of major fighting in the east overnight.

     

  • EU sets to tighten Russia sanctions

    The European Union has given Russia one week to reverse course in Ukraine or face new sanctions, the BBC reports.

    European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, said the EU was working urgently on further restrictive measures.

    Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said his country was “close to a point of no return – full scale-war” with Russia.

    Russia denies Western accusations that its forces have illegally crossed into Ukraine to support separatists there.

    Pro-Russian rebels have made gains against Ukrainian troops in recent days in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

    At least 2,600 people have died in fighting.

    The conflict in the east erupted in April following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula a month before.

    Western leaders said there is clear evidence of regular Russian military units operating inside Ukraine with heavy weapons.

    Speaking after a summit in Brussels, Mr. Van Rompuy said the EU “stands ready to take further significant steps in light of the evolution of the situation on the ground.

    “Everybody is fully aware that we have to act quickly.”

    He did not specify the nature of further sanctions, but said the proposals would be ready within a week.

  • EU grants 12m Euro for National Quality infrastructure

    EU grants 12m Euro for National Quality infrastructure

    • Minister inaugurates project’s committee

    The European Union yesterday released 12 million euro to support the enhancement of the National quality infrastructure, with a view to improving quality,  safety, integrity and marketability of Nigerian goods and services.

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga who made this known yesterday, said the move is also expected to remove technical barriers.

    Aganga, who is the Chairman, National Quality Infrastructure Project, spoke during the project steering committee inaugural meeting in Abuja. He said the Committee is composed of 14 members.

    The membership includes, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,  European Union,  United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food, Drugs ans Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Weight and Measures department, Consumer Protection Council,  Manufacturing Association of Nigeria,  Small and Mediun Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),  Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries,Mines and Agrriculture (NACCIMA), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Planning Commission, Nigerian Customs.  Two Vice Chairman,  for private and public sector.

    Aganga said: “12 million euro has been made available to support national quality infrastructure in the country. This is the first time in Nigeria we are having a holistic industrial revolution plan. The project has a life span of four years. this is the only way we can diversify our economy.

    “There is no way we can industrialise if we do not look at areas of competitiveness, and one of the ways to achieve this, is access to affordable finance. We are seriously tranforming the Industrial Training Fund ITF,  this is tilted towards skills acquisition. We want to ensure a regular survey, identify the gap today and prepare for the future.

    “For 50years Nigeria got away without proper standardization,  that is why Nigeria is what it is today. We still have not been able to export our goods into other countries,  our biggest obstacles is meeting with international standards.

    “I believe that sectoral policies should be backed by law, and driven by institutions. There has been lack of coordination and standard policies have not been in place.  It is equally important that we start seeing results as quickly as possible.

    The UNIDO Representative,  Nigeria AND ECOWAS,  Patrick Kormawa said Nigeria has been experiencing trade imbalance during the past years as a result of increase in import of goods some of which were of very poor quality. Nigeria has a nascent industry that requires support to improve the quality of its products.

    Nigeria lacks an international recognised quality infrastructure in order to ensure safety,  integrity and marketability of goods and services.

    The Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS,  Amb. Michel Arrion said quality is important in the over all competitiveness in Nigeria. Quality is not about price,it is about value for money,  competition is about quality, while having value for money is protecting consumers.  We want to help Nigeria develop quality products by industries.

  • EU votes 415m euro for Africa’s integration

    EU votes 415m euro for Africa’s integration

    The European Union (EU)  has allocated 415 million euro to support Africa’s integration programmes.

    The decision was reached yesterday in Brussels, Belgium, according to a statement issued in Abuja.

    The allocation is meant to fund the first phase of a new programme. It is the first ever EU programme in development and cooperation that covers Africa as a whole to  address trans-national and global challenges, such as migration and mobility, climate change and security.

    The support is coming under the  EU-Africa Partnership, which the two continents established in 2007 to put their relations on a new footing and to establish a strategic partnership, responding to mutual interests and based upon a strong political relationship and close cooperation in key areas.

    The programme, which is financed from the EU budget will be a key instrument for the European Commission to implement, in close cooperation with African partners, the joint political priorities of the roadmap which was adopted by African and EU Heads of State and Government during the 4th EU-Africa summit in April this year.

    The Pan-African Programme, which was announced by President Manuel Barroso at the 4th Africa-EU summit in Brussels in April 2014, will amount to 845 million euro from 2014 to 2020.

    It will contribute, among others, to increased mobility on the African continent, better trade relations across regions and also better equip both continents

    The first phase that was launched yesterday, the statement explained “will include projects ranging from sustainable agriculture, environment, and higher education to governance, infrastructure, migration, information and communication technology, as well as research and innovation.

    “Concrete projects will, for example, support election observation missions operated by the African Union in its member states or improve the governance of migration and mobility within Africa and between Africa and the EU. Some initiatives will benefit citizens directly, such as a student’s academic exchange programme or the harmonisation of academic curricula across a range of African universities facilitating the mobility of African students and academics.”

    The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, was quoted to have said that just like in Europe and elsewhere, the  challenges faced by Africa can no longer be tackled within national borders.

  • EU grants Nigeria N3.4b to boost power

    EU grants Nigeria N3.4b to boost power

    The European Union (EU) approved yesterday a N3.4billion grant to Nigeria for the power sector.

    The grant is meant for the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), dedicated to improving access to modern and sustainable energy sources in Nigeria.

    The grant was jointly announced by the Federal Ministry of Power (FMP), the European Union (EU) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit yesterday.

    At the event, the  EU Ambassador, Michel Arrion, said  the release of the funds showed the European Union’s commitment to ensure that a greater number of Nigerians get access to electricity, as well as to a lasting partnership with the government and other donors in the power sector.

    The Permanent secretary, Ambassador Igali, while inaugurating the event, said part of the government’s transformation agenda is to improve the supply and efficiency of electricity for Nigerian households and businesses, thereby improving the livelihoods of a greater number of the people.

    He praised the EU, GIZ and  the other development partners in their support of the power sector.

    The Country Director to GIZ, Dr. Thomas Kirsch, said the EU funding will greatly help to support the implementation of the Nigerian transformation agenda, and scale-up  activities aimed at  improving access to energy supply for the population.

    The Nigerian Energy Support Programme aims to improve the conditions for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification.

    The programme commenced in 2013 with about N2 billion support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

    The N3,4 billion additional funding will allow NESP to continue to advise Nigerian institutions on the enabling policy, institutional and regulatory framework conditions at the Federal level, support improved rural electrification planning in five states and set up various demonstration projects, providing business models to increase energy access through sustainable energy resources.

    Also, NESP will initiate and support vocational training and capacity development in the electricity sector.

    The EU contribution to NESP is part of the N9billion grants in the Energising Access to Sustainable Energy in Nigeria (EASE) Programme, agreed with the Nigerian Government in February, 2014.

  • Cameron urges ‘bold EU leadership’

    British Prime Minister, David Cameron has called for “bold leadership” in a newspaper article laying out his criteria for the new president of the European Commission.

    This comes as Britain leads a campaign, with Sweden and the Netherlands, to block the candidacy of Luxembourg’s ex-prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker.

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel has publicly backed Mr. Juncker.

    The BBC reports that Mr. Juncker has been nominated for the position by party groups in Europe.

    But Mr. Cameron is strongly opposed to Mr. Juncker’s belief in a closer political union between European Union member states and has described Brussels as “too big” and “too bossy.”

    In a highly unusual move, Mr. Cameron has decided to appeal directly to voters in other EU countries to make his case for a president – considered the most powerful job in Brussels – who can change the way the Commission is run, not deliver more of the same.

    In his newspaper article the prime minister says that, for many Europeans, the World Cup is the issue that seems most interesting right now.

    “Only a small minority will be following the debate about the presidency of European Commission.

    “But this is important because it goes to the heart of the way the EU takes decisions, the need to respect its rules, and the appropriate relationship between the nations of Europe and the EU institutions.

  • Italy rescues 5,000 migrants

    Italy has rescued more than 5,000 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded boats over the weekend.

    Calmer seas have led to a wave of migrants leaving north African shores in the last three days, according to Italian navy officials.

    Three migrants have died while attempting the crossing. Their bodies were recovered by the crew of merchant tanker Norient Star from one of the boats.

    Officials in Sicily, where most of the migrants are taken, have called for more European support.

    Italian authorities have called for EU support. Mayor of Porto Empedocle said on Sunday: “Europe can’t just turn its back on us.

    “This isn’t just Sicily’s border, but it’s Europe’s border too.”

    Italy has asked EU countries to assist with its naval mission – called Mare Nostrum – but so far only Slovenia has provided help.

    The mission began in October after 366 migrants drowned when their boat capsized a mile from Sicily.

    The EU provided €30m (£24m) in emergency funding, mostly for immigration facilities on land.

    Merchant tankers also aided the rescue operation.

    So far this year, the number of migrants who have reached Italy by boat has already surpassed the 40,000 for the whole of 2013.

     

    Malta has also said 2,200 have arrived on its islands.

    Two-thirds of those who do reach Italy leave for other EU countries, according to the Interior Ministry.