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France, Nigeria sign $275m agreement for Lagos, Kano

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France, Nigeria sign $275m agreement for Lagos, Kano

The French and Nigerian governments have signed a bilateral agreement that would provide about $275 million to develop facilities in Lagos and Kano states.

Both presidents, Muhammadu Buhari and Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing of the agreements, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders on Tuesday.

The letter of intent is for the financing of an urban mobility improvement programme initiated by the Lagos State Government.

The intent is for the provision of a loan of $200 million by the French Development Agency to the Federal Government of Nigeria, to develop eight priority bus corridors connected to the mass transit network (urban train and high-level service bus with a total length of 41 kilometres).

The agreement was signed by AFD’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Remy Rioux, and the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

It will also create two multimodal interchange hubs and functional integration of four public transport modes- urban train, high-level bus service, water transport lines and bus lines, planning and management capabilities of the transportation system.

The project follows the successful urban development of the second Lagos BRT project, already funded by AFD, and is aimed at contributing to the deployment of a public transport network combining quality service, efficiency, accessibility, reliability, safety, reduction of polluting emissions and socio-economic and financial sustainability.

Read also: Dogara challenges Buhari on early submission of budget

It also aimed at giving 1,500,000 inhabitants access to quality transportation

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a credit of facility agreement of $75 million aimed at improving water supply in Kano city.

This concessional loan was awarded by AFD to the Federal Government to allow Kano State develop an effective and sustainable water supply service.

The project mainly comprises the rehabilitation and densification of the network, rehabilitation of the main water production facilities and supporting consumer awareness campaign.

Speaking earlier at a joint news conference with President Buhari, the French President, stated that his country is ready to assist African countries to overcome their security challenges.
However, he noted that France would not be the one to completely fix African problems.

He said, “I think the main plan is an African plan and France is not the one to solve or fix African situations.

“So, what we want to do is that we will intervene and make our presence in Africa and Sahel to fight against terrorism especially in Mali and in the region.

“We will stay as long as it is requested by our friends, especially Mali. We discussed yesterday (Monday) about this issue.

“But what is important to me is how the different African governments organise themselves to fight against terrorism and get rid of these people and especially Jihadism. That’s why I do promote the G5/Sahel Initiatives and I think as far as we are organised, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon is very important.”

Speaking, Buhari said the issues of security and economic integration came up during his discussion with Macron.

He thanked the French President for his commitment and understanding as it concerns Nigeria and the region.

 

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