By Vera Anyagafu, Victor Gotevbe & Prisca Duru

THE Austria Embassy’s Commercial Counselor to Nigeria, Nella Hengstler, has indicated that Austria houses a good number of Nigerian nationals and that both countries are remarkably interesting and maintain a most cordial bi-national relationship.

Nella who expressed satisfaction over the cordial relationship both countries share, especially in the bi-trade ties, said Nigeria is Austria cherished partner and both countries shall remain committed to issues that will keep promoting their mutual interests. The Commercial Counselor spoke during a meeting with Vanguard Consular Advisory and the President, Good Governance Initiative (GGI), Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, noted that Austria is reputed for manufacturing durable lace materials and quality energy drinks.

“We have more visitors in Austria than its population and we hope to be friendlier to our guests and also hope to ensure their maximum comfort, either as visitors or residents. Austria is in the center of Europe and is highly reputed to manufacturing and exporting long serving quality machineries across the world and this is one of our basic exports to Nigeria, in addition to other services solutions”, Nella said.

She further expressed the need for increased bi-trade relations in those areas, stressing that many Nigerians are unaware of the fact that Austria manufactures a wide range of products other than its significant tourism attractions.

“The bi-trade partnership Austria share with Nigeria is a success and has significantly contributed to promoting healthy economic growth and high job creations in both countries economies. This strong partnership made it possible for both countries key business locations and I am particularly optimistic that our huge contributions to sustaining this bi-national ties in key sectors of our economies will progressively place us in the category of the most economically successful countries across the universe.”

Also urging constant energy supply in the country, which she described as an issue seeking urgent attention, the Counselor said that that Nigeria, as the giant of Africa needs to come out with a comprehensive roadmap for Power Sector Reform to enable progression in major key areas. She posited that constant power supply in Nigeria will go a long way to decreasing the number of unemployed individuals across the country and would also attract foreign investments, which in turn will bring about progressive economic growth.

Economic growth

In a similar development, the President Good Governance Initiative (GGI), and strong advocate for constant power supply in Nigeria, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, expressed his bitterness over the dampening power situation in the country.

He told the meeting that the poor situation of power in the country is discouraging, adding that a good number of Diaspora Nigerians are not too comfortable investing in the country as a result of this.

He therefore appeals to the Federal government of Nigeria and all responsible regulating authorities to ensure that Nigerians are provided constant power supply so as to reduce the number of industries collapsing in the country as a result of inconsistent power supply.

His words, “If the Nigerian government succeeds in addressing the present power supply problem in the country, there would be multiple impressive results in our economy and the rate of unemployment would be reduced significantly. In other words, many of our youths, particularly those who are migrating out of the country in search of better opportunities would have been discouraged with the provision of necessary infrastructures in the country,

The strategic planning and coordination to reducing the number of youths migrating out of the country lies in the hands of the government. If Nigerians are empowered with good infrastructure and constant power supply there would be rapid rise in its economy.”

Still sharing in Nella’s views, Mbisiogu, further stated that Nigeria has all it takes to becoming the world’s strongest economy, for fact that it has the capability to put to a stop, the issue of epileptic power supply. Our role under GGI, is basically to continue advocating for the implementation of the policies in respect of constant power supply.