Leadership (Abuja)
Golu Timothy
19 September 2008
The Federal Government yesterday declared that it would not sell its national telecom carrier, the Nigeria Telecommunications Ltd, NITEL, with its mobile subsidiary, M/Tel to the highest bidder, but that it will be guided by factors of competence, ability and technical expertise which are desperately needed for the sector's turn-around.
The government also called for the immediate action on the formalisation of the Nigeria-Indonesia Bi-National Commission.
The position of government was made known by Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, who told visiting management of Altimo (Alfa Group), a Moscow-based Telecommunication Investment Company led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alexey Kousmichoff. The company had declared interest to invest in M-tel/NITEL.
Jonathan reaffirmed the determination of the Federal Government to ensure that the interest of Nigerians is protected in the privatisation of M-tel/NITEL.
The VP, who noted that land line telephony was more widespread and cheaper, said that the Federal Government would make M-tel/NITEL privatisation very transparent. He noted that government will only partner with foreign investors who have shown genuine competence and are financially capable of consummating the deal, while assuring that Government has created a safe environment for foreign investments to thrive in Nigeria.
Mr. Kousmichoff, assured of his company's capability and determination to improve telecommunication infrastructure in Nigeria, said that his company will also work towards improving the existing relations between Nigeria and Russia.
Meanwhile, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, has called for immediate action on the formalisation of the Nigeria-Indonesia Bi-National Commission.
The President disclosed this when he received the outgoing Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Nurhadi Djazuli, who was at the State House yesterday.
According to him, "there is the need to formalise our bi-national commission in order to strengthen and institutionalise the growing trade between our two countries, especially considering that Nigeria is Indonesia's largest trading partner in the sub-region".
He also commended Mr. Djazuli for his tireless efforts that have led to the expansion of Nigeria-Indonesia trade relations during his three-year tenure.
Earlier, the outgoing ambassador had said a high level economic delegation from Indonesia was in the country to discuss and sign agreements on agriculture, gas and telecommunications, adding that his country had investments in Nigeria's food, pharmaceuticals, garments and petrochemical sectors.
He thanked President Yar'Adua for the cooperation he enjoyed during his tenure in Nigeria.
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