By Musa Adamu
Abuja
The federal government has sought assistance from the Japanese government on its desire to diversify the economy. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, made this request when members of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) paid him a courtesy visit over the weekend
Welcoming the delegation, the minister said: \’Our government is grateful that your country has supported us in some areas. Our present administration came at a difficult time when our revenue came down due to sharp fall in crude oil price. It is a crises but an opportunity for us not to be dependent on oil. We are faced with the reality of diversifying our economy. We want your support in this direction. Nigeria wants investment in solid minerals, manufacturing including self sufficiency in petroleum refining and rice production.
Commending the agency for visiting the Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDPs) in Nigeria, the minister also noted the challenges of resettling the affected population and noted that international assistance in this plight would be appreciated.
Earlier, the President of JICA, Mr. Shinichi Kitaoka, said their agency had assisted Nigeria in various sectors including health, power, agriculture and water supply projects.
He further listed some of these projects to include emergency repair and overhaul work on Jebba Hydro Electricity Power Station, Pilot project in Rice post harvest processing and marketing in Nassarawa and Niger State and rural water supply in Oyo, Kano, Yobe, Kaduna and FCT Abuja among others
