Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
France has said it will spend 677 million euros for the implementation of various economic and social programmes in Nigeria between 2009 and 2013. The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean-Michael Dumond, disclosed this during his visit to the northern state of Katsina.
Speaking to reporters at the government house, Mr. Dumond said the amount would be disbursed to states, local governments, communities and other civil societies for the improvement of socio-economic sectors, the Nigerian Tribune reported
This bilateral project was put together during Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar’Adua’s visit to France last year, according to Dumond.
Dumond described the political ties between his country and Nigeria as cordial. He commended President Yar' Adua for being “in the right direction in the present democratic structure and the rule of law.”
The ambassador later assured France’s cooperation and support to Nigeria in areas such as desertification, deforestation, improvement of power supply and women empowerment.
France is the second biggest investor in Nigeria after the United States of America.
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