By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja commended international energy company, ENI, for its proposed new investment in Nigeria, reiterating his vision of making the nation more globally competitive and an investment destination.
The President said that by exploring the possibilities of innovative thinking, strategic planning, new technology, and research into best practices, his administration’s reforms will reposition the nation’s economy.
Receiving a delegation from ENI led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Claudio Descalzi, at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu said the vision of his administration remains to turn the country into an investment destination, with strategic thinking, planning, and implementation.
“ENI, we welcome your team again. Claudio, it is an honour for me to welcome you back to your second home, Nigeria.
“Welcome back after many years. Nigeria has improved, and I am glad that you noted that we are making changes, not because of anything else but because of a very long-term vision on our investment strategy.
“Gone are the days when we feel like the captain in several ships. We have seen conflicting strategies around the world, and we are determined to champion these changes or take ourselves ahead of those changes and make reforms a priority.
“We cannot grow today’s seed with yesterday’s belief system. We have to continuously be intellectually inquisitive and reform ourselves and our way of doing things. We count on your efforts.
“And we see the effect of your belief in our partnership, not for exploitation, but for investable development. Africa is not in a begging mode but in an accelerated mode to compete and take its place with the rest of the world,’’ the President stated.
Tinubu also said the reforms will be sustained for the mutual benefit of investors and Nigerians.
“I have seen the need for us to continue to be leaders in this reform and create opportunities for attracting investments because the basket is getting bigger, and the participants are getting larger and more resilient. The fossil fuel problem is there; science and technology is taking over.
“We will still continue to assure you that we are going to be the global investment destination and I will encourage you, as one of the progressive leaders in the industry, on what our reforms have achieved.
“Please, put a timeline on that investment strategy. It will be a stimulant for the rest of the world when you put a timeline on it,’’ the President added.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of ENI said the energy company will invest more in the country, particularly in the agricultural sector.
