George Oji
14 November 2009
Abuja — Vice President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday expressed concern with the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, which he said has continued to favour South Africa over the years, "particularly in the balance of business opportunities."
The vice president made this observation yesterday in an address he delivered at the commencement of a business roundtable held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission.
Jonathan expressed regrets that while the bilateral relationship has yielded enormous benefits for South African entrepreneurs with investment in Nigeria, "similar opportunities for Nigerians to do real business in South Africa do not exist."
He also voiced the concern of many Nigerians that the South African authorities have continued to erect discriminatory obstacles against Nigerian businesses in South Africa.
Said Jonathan: "I strongly suspect that in the course of your deliberations, there will be strong complaints from Nigerians who want something done about the balance of business opportunities and penetration between Nigerian and South Africa businesses.
"They and a considerable number of Nigerians are concerned that our bilateral relations have yielded enormous benefits for South African entrepreneurs with investments in Nigeria, while there are little or no opportunities for Nigerians to do real business in South Africa."
The vice president said some other Nigerians have even accused South African authorities of erecting discriminatory obstacles against Nigerian businesses in South Africa.
"Indeed, some Nigerians have questioned the very rationale for the Bi-National Commission if our relations and the benefits they confer are so skewed and if South African authorities are engaged in alleged acts of discrimination against Nigerian visitors, residents and businesses in South Africa," Jonathan said.
Jonathan observed that Nigeria's relation with South Africa was very important to both countries and noted that the two countries must not allow "some irritating consular and administrative distractions to undermine their potential to uplift the lives of the citizens of the two nations."
He expressed optimism that the roundtable would go a long way in cementing cordial relations with the two countries.
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