The Federal Government has assured Nigerian auto spare parts dealers in Angola of its commitment to protecting their investments and promoting the interests of Nigerians living and doing business abroad.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance on the sidelines of the just-held 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), when she inspected facilities at Cidade De Motores (City of Engines), Golf 2, Luanda, where the Nigerian Auto Parts Dealers Association has established a major market.
The Minister, according to a statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, expressed pride in the achievement of the Nigerian traders, describing the project as a demonstration of the “pioneering spirit of Nigerians” and a model of what Nigerians can accomplish abroad.
“We are very proud of you, having seen the worth of the enormous investment you have put on ground. We do not want a situation where people will invest and later some phony stories would be told about their investment,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the protection of Nigerian businesses would be prioritised in future bilateral engagements with Angola, particularly during the next Nigeria-Angola Joint Commission.
She also assured the traders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to the wellbeing of Nigerians wherever they reside, noting that the government had taken steps to protect Nigerians facing challenges in other countries.
The Minister urged the dealers to remain law-abiding and good ambassadors of Nigeria, while encouraging them to use the market as a model of unity and inclusiveness.
She particularly cautioned against ethnic discrimination in the management of the market, saying, “There should be no room for tribalism.”
Earlier, President of the United Auto Parts Dealers Association, Mr. Chuks Ukachi, thanked the Minister for visiting the market despite her busy schedule in Angola.
Ukachi explained that the project was conceived after Angolan authorities stopped Nigerian traders from operating along the roadside, leaving many members without business for about two years.
He said the market was open to all Nigerians and Angolans interested in the business, stressing that the facility was intended to project a positive image of Nigeria.
“This is an open market; it is open for every Nigerian. In fact, it is for all of us,” Ukachi said.
The association appealed to the Minister to facilitate Federal Government support towards securing and protecting the market, which represents a significant investment by Nigerian entrepreneurs in Angola.
