The Federal Government has assured Nigerian auto spare parts dealers in Angola of its commitment to protecting their investments and safeguarding the interests of Nigerians living and doing business abroad.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave the assurance while inspecting facilities at Cidade De Motores, also known as City of Engines, in Golf 2, Luanda, where the Nigerian Auto Parts Dealers Association has established a major market.
The visit took place on the sidelines of the recently concluded 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
In a statement issued on Thursday by the minister’s spokesperson, Dr Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed satisfaction with the scale of investment by Nigerian traders, describing the project as a demonstration of the “pioneering spirit of Nigerians” and an example of what Nigerian entrepreneurs can achieve abroad.
“We are very proud of you, having seen the worth of the enormous investment you have put on the ground. We do not want a situation where people will invest, and later some phoney stories would be told about their investment,” she said.
The minister said the Federal Government would prioritise the protection of Nigerian-owned businesses in its future bilateral engagements with Angola, particularly during the next Nigeria-Angola Joint Commission.
She also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living abroad, noting that the administration had taken steps to address challenges faced by Nigerians in other countries.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the traders to remain law-abiding and conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
She further encouraged them to manage the market in a manner that promotes unity and inclusiveness, warning against ethnic discrimination among members.
“There should be no room for tribalism,” the minister cautioned.
Earlier, the President of the United Auto Parts Dealers Association, Mr Chuks Ukachi, thanked the minister for taking time to visit the facility despite her busy schedule in Angola.
Ukachi explained that the market was established after Angolan authorities stopped Nigerian traders from conducting business along the roadsides, leaving many of them out of business for nearly two years.
He said the facility was open to Nigerians and Angolans interested in the auto spare parts business and was designed to project a positive image of Nigeria in Angola.
“This is an open market; it is open for every Nigerian. In fact, it is for all of us,” Ukachi said.
The association appealed to the Federal Government to support efforts to secure and protect the market, describing it as a major investment by Nigerian entrepreneurs and an important platform for strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Angola.
