By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi.
The United States Government is fully committed to do everything it can in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria to bring to an end the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast sub-region of the country.
The US Government gave this assurance through its ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James F. Entwistle when he paid an official visit to Bauchi Government House in continuation of his personal engagement of Nigerians across the country.
Ambassador James Entwistle also spoke about the United States Government’s determination to rebuilding the social and physical life of the communities in the North East and the economy of the sub-region.
“The United States Government remains committed to doing everything it can with the Government of Nigeria to bring to an end the insurgency in the North Eastern Nigeria and begin the rebuilding of the social and physical life of the communities and the economy in the Northeast”, he said.
Ambassador Entwistle, who was represented by USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Michael Harvey on the visit, added “The United States Government remains deeply committed to Nigeria over all what is going on in North East takes more of the headlines, but it does not monopolize the US Government attention”.
Director Michael Harvey expressed Ambassador Entwistle’s regret for not been in Bauchi as he has a scheduled communication with the white House to hold discussions with US Secretary of State on issues bordering Nigeria.
Harvey disclosed that USAID is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Power to support the rapid transformation of the nation’s power sector especially in the North and Bauchi State in particular.
The partnership, according to him, will pave way for bringing in investors both within and outside the country towards providing regular affordable and uninterrupted power supply in Bauchi state.
“I’m proud to say that a number of investors are working on renewable energy including solar and other issues surrounding that, and we will continue to work with you and your team in achieving the desired goals”, he told Governor Mohammed Abubakar.
Harvey noted that the constraints to economic development in Bauchi state are tremendous as, it’s not just the distances from the ports of Lagos and Port Harcourt, but also the search in electricity sector across the country especially in the North.
Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar had while responding regretted that they took over government at a difficult time when the price of oil on which Nigeria solemnly depends for its earnings is dwindling by the day in the international market, resulting in imposition of challenges on Nigerians generally.
