International News
Obasanjo in London for crucial talks
Jul 28, 2003, 21:30
| | President Obasanjo arrived in London on 28 July to hold talks with British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair and the President of the World Bank, Mr James Wolfensohn. A team led by Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former World Bank senior official, had preceded the President to prepare grounds for the discussions.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mrs Remi Oyo, said the President would seek increased financial assistance from the Bank and the international community for reform programmes and capacity building.
According to the statement, President Obasanjo would request further British aid in pushing for debt relief for Nigeria, and would also seek support from the international community as the country plays an increased role in peacekeeping operations, especially in West Africa.
Mrs Oyo also indicated that the talks would be in furtherance of the President’s commitment to restructuring the economy for stability and growth. In this regard, it is aimed at initiating a framework of understanding and new partnership between Nigeria and Britain.
The present Administration targets reform in the following areas:
1. Good governance
2. Fighting corruption
3. Public expenditure management, particularly budgetary reforms
4. Reduction of waste
5. Privatisation and public enterprise
6. Trade policy
7. Civil service and institutional management
8. Capacity building, retention and utilisation
9. Effective debt management and debt relief
10. Return of stolen money
11. Macro-economic management
The President and his entourage are scheduled to return to Nigeria on Tuesday 29 July.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is expected to send two battalions of peacekeepers to war-torn Liberia later this week.
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