Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans for the FCT Administration to partner with the Republic of Italy on sustainable city development, tourism, and agricultural initiatives.
Gatekeepers News reports that during a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano Leo in Abuja on Friday, Wike expressed his interest in developing the nation’s capital as a sustainable city, leveraging its landscape for agriculture and tourism.
He said that he would personally visit the ambassador to discuss areas of mutual benefits for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Italy.
“You know very well that Abuja has a very good landscape for agriculture and tourism development,” he said.
The minister explained that the publication of the names of embassies and commissions owing ground rent in the FCT was not targeted at anybody, but to improve Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) which will be utilised for development of the city.
He assured the ambassador that the FCT Administration would make the environment comfortable for embassies and commissions to carry out their activities and for businesses to thrive.
Leo congratulated the Minister and recalled how impressed he was when he visited Rivers in 2022, and expressed optimism that the minister would do better than he did as a governor.
“Having you here in Abuja means we can continue our very good cooperation. I will be glad to host you at the Embassy,” he said.
He said that Italy was at the forefront of tourism, adding that the country had huge plans to support sustainable city development and new ideas for green city in the FCT.
“It will be a pleasure to follow your ideas to strengthen cooperation with you,” the ambassador said.
(NAN)
