Britain’s Minister for Africa, the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and International Energy, Mark Simmonds, was in Nigeria recently to explore ways of deepening economic ties between both countries. In an exclusive interview with MARCEL MBAMALU, he said the UK would help Nigeria enthrone transparency in managing its oil wealth as well as overcome challenges of theft. Simmonds, among other issues, also spoke about the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
Let’s begin by talking about why you are in Nigeria at this time...
THERE is the need to deepen econmic and trade ties between our two countries. You will probabaly recall that President Jonathan and Prime Minister Cameron agreed, in a communique, that they would double bilateral trade by 2014.
In 2000 and 2012, we increaseed bilateral trade by 40 percent; so, we are making significant progress. But, of course, there is more that needs to be done.
