Port-of-Spain — Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday assured of closer ties between her country and Nigeria through the Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the convening of the second session of the TT/Nigeria Joint Commission in Abuja.

"I wish to affirm that Trinidad and Tobago is willing to facilitate the advancement of the process so as to expand people to people interaction between our countries and foster South-South cooperation", Persad-Bissessar told President Jonathan during bi-lateral talks.

In 2008, Trinidad & Tobago embarked on the Africa Energy Initiative, offering technical consultation and assistance in the energy sector to several African states. However, Persad-Bissessar noted that the African Energy Initiative is currently under revision in order to improve efficiency for all stakeholders. She added that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs will launch a new Africa Initiative policy in due course.

The Prime Minister said the country would continue to collaborate with Nigeria in energy and energy related projects and looks forward to welcoming delegations from Nigeria to visit Trinidad and Tobago for exchanges in this area.

"Trinidad and Tobago also remains committed to making available to Nigeria its technical experts in the energy sector. I await the report from the Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs on the proposed Izombe Gas Processing Project between the National Gas Company, the National Energy Corporation and Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited of Trinidad and Tobago and the National Petroleum Corporation of Nigeria", Persad-Bissessar said.

She expressed delight to be part of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme which engages young persons from the Niger Delta in training and rehabilitation programmes.