FRANCE HAS PROVIDED €1.3 MILLION OF SOFT LOANS TO NIGERIA

The French ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Denys Gauer says he would collaborate with the Enugu State Government in the development of some key areas of the economy.

Ambassador Gauer stated this when he led members of his team on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House.

Mr. Gauer said that the French Government had financed some projects in the country over time and was willing to bring more companies to invest in Enugu State.

“We have provided for €1.3 million of soft loans to Nigeria to finance a lot of projects in ICTs, in public transportation, in urban development, in energy sector, in water sector etc.”

Responding the Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi appreciated the French Government for the visit and appealed for further collaboration.

The visit y the French Ambassador is the first since the inception of the present administration.

Also, the French Government has expressed its desire to improve the standard of living of the people of Enugu State.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer made this known when he visited the centre for French Training and Documentation Enugu.

Mr. Gauer stated that the French Development Agency was currently financing two projects in the state aimed at improving living conditions.

“The French Development Agency is now financing two important project s in Enugu State which is called RAM, that means, Rural Access and Morbidity project; so there is another project, which is on water management here in Enugu city.”

The French Ambassador congratulated the Alliance Française Enugu for the progress and success recorded and thanked the State Government for their support.

The chairman, Alliance Françoise Enugu, Professor Paul Muodum, expressed satisfaction with the level of growth attained by the institution and expressed hope that visit of the Ambassador would further take the institution a step ahead.

Speaking at the occasion, the State Director of the Institution, Mr. Oliver Mourginot described the visit of the Ambassador as a sign of the willingness of the French Embassy and the State Government to collaborate and enhance better relationship.

The Zonal Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Enugu National Station, Mr. Ike Okere, noted that the visit of the Ambassador was a recognition of the growth and impact of the Alliance Françoise, and the signal of more French presence in this part of the world.

The occasion featured facility tour of the institution and choral presentation by students of the institution.

CHUKWUMA EZEOGU & EMMANUEL ONWUEGBUELU