The
US ambassador to the United Nations has promised the President
Buhari-led federal government that the US Embassy in Nigeria would offer
technical assistance to help solve the lingering challenge of fuel
scarcity.
Queues in an NNPC filling station
While answering questions from reporters during her visit to
Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the US ambassador to the
United Nations (UN), Samantha Power, on Thursday, promised that the US
Embassy in Nigeria would offer technical assistance to help Nigeria
solve its lingering challenge of fuel scarcity.
"Just last night when I was coming from the airport, I saw long
lines at petrol stations here in Nigeria, and I really feel for the
people of this country, who are going through this difficult economic
time.
"And I think this is something [about which] the embassy has
promised to offer whatever technical advice, counsel and technical
assistance that we can offer. But we know that some of the best minds in
Nigeria are thinking about that, including the ministers in this
government," she said.
She said her country would discuss with Nigeria on diversification
of its economy, noting that the drop in oil prices was causing hardship
in oil-dependent countries.
The envoy, who had earlier met with some civil society
organisations, said the meeting deliberated on the deteriorating
condition in northern Nigeria, due to the threat posed by Boko Haram
insurgency.
She attributed the poor condition in the north-eastern part of
Nigeria to economic hardship worsened by the insurgence, which hampered
inter-city trade.
"In terms of our meeting with civil society, Nigerian civil
society is one of the most vibrant, articulate and rigorous in the
world.
"What we heard a lot about was the question of how the
conditions in the north are deteriorating because of the threat posed by
Boko Haram.
"The economic hardship in the region has been exacerbated by
the presence of Boko Haram and trade across the border has now come to
virtual standstill.
"We heard about very difficult humanitarian conditions in
Northern Nigeria and we will travel to northern Nigeria tomorrow
(Friday) and we will try to get a feel of it for first hand," she said.
The envoy said the meeting with civil society organisations also
focused on what more could be done on abductions and kidnappings,
particularly with the Chibok girls, adding that the issue would be
discussed with the federal government by sharing whatever information at
the disposal of the US government in a timely manner.
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