The outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann, has expressed her concern over the persistent insecurity in Nigeria, saying it has hindered the country’s economic potential and development.
Blatmann, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said Nigeria has all it takes to be among the economic greats globally, but the security challenges have prevented it from exploiting its full potential.
She cited the example of how the war in Ukraine in 2023 created an opportunity for Nigeria to supply gas and oil to European countries, but the country could not meet the demand due to insecurity and oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
“You know one thing that has frustrated me over the last two years is the problem in the oil and gas sector. When the Ukraine war started, all the European countries were trying to diversify their supply of gas and oil and many of them turned to Nigeria and because at that time due to oil bunkering Nigeria was not only able to increase its capacity and supply but sometimes was not able to meet the already existing contracts and was not meeting the quota OPEC had fixed, the European countries had to look elsewhere,” she said.
She lamented that this could have been a golden opportunity for Nigeria to boost its economy and attract more foreign investment, but it was lost due to the activities of militants and criminals.
She also decried the situation where some oil exploration companies had to close down because they claimed that 90 percent of the oil pumped into the pipelines was stolen.
“How is that sustainable for any business?” she asked, stressing the need for security and stability in the oil-rich region.
Blatmann, who is ending her two-year tenure in Nigeria, said despite the challenges, Nigeria remains a key partner for France and the second largest country with foreign direct investment (FDI) from France in sub-Saharan Africa.
She said France has invested in various sectors in Nigeria, such as agriculture, energy, technology, and e-commerce, and has employed over 10,000 Nigerians through its companies.
She also said France has supported Nigeria’s development through its development bank, Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), which has provided concessional loans to Nigeria for various projects.
She noted that in the last ten years, France has doubled its investment in Nigeria, and Nigeria has become one of the top five countries benefiting from France’s economic cooperation, ahead of many Francophone African countries.
She said France also values Nigeria’s role in regional and continental peace and security and has collaborated with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, especially in the Lake Chad Basin.
She said France will continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the north-east and to address the humanitarian and development needs of the affected population.
Blatmann said she was impressed by the resilience and dynamism of the Nigerian people and the diversity and richness of the Nigerian culture.
She said she enjoyed her stay in Nigeria, and she hopes to maintain the friendship and partnership she has built with Nigeria.
She said she is optimistic that Nigeria will overcome its security challenges and achieve its economic and social aspirations.
“I believe in Nigeria, I believe in its future, I believe in its potential, and I believe in its people,” she said.
Source: Arise News
