Nigerian President calls for increased energy cooperation with Algeria

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ABUJA – Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has declared his country’s willingness to further boost energy cooperation with Algeria, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on the media, Femi Adesina, the Nigerian head of state on Thursday conveyed to Algerian Ambassador Belkacem Smaili, expressing the wish of Nigeria to see the cooperation between the two countries intensify in favor of major joint economic projects.

At the end of the mission in Nigeria, Ambassador Belkacem Smaili paid a farewell visit to President Buhari who received him in audience at the State House in Abuja, according to the same source.

“God has endowed Nigeria and Algeria with natural resources, especially gas and oil, and both countries have no choice but to cooperate,” said Muhammadu Buhari, quoted by his special advisor.

For his part, the Algerian diplomat wished the prosperity to Nigerians as well as the strengthening of bilateral relations.

In 2002, the two countries launched the “Trans-Saharan Gas-Pipline”, a mega-gas pipeline that is part of the structuring projects of Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development).

Estimated, then, at more than 10 billion dollars, the pipeline was to deliver 20 to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Nigeria to Europe via Algeria and Niger.

The realization of this colossal and ambitious project has been delayed for security reasons, according to some analysts.

APS

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