Abuja:The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has assured Qatar of robust support and security for its investments, highlighting Abuja’s openness to strategic partnerships that could emulate the urban development seen in Doha. Wike made these remarks during a bilateral meeting held in Abuja with the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Al-Hail.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Wike addressed concerns raised by the Qatari envoy regarding a legal issue over a 5,000-square-meter land parcel intended for the Qatari Embassy. This land, located near the Russian Embassy in the Central Business District, had received a legal notice, prompting Wike to instruct the FCT Director of Litigation to investigate and resolve the matter swiftly. He reaffirmed the safety of the diplomatic corridor and government backing.
Wike expressed admiration for Qatar’s infrastructure and proposed leading an FCT delegation to Doha to study its urban planning models. This initiative aims to attract Qatari real estate investors to develop modern housing projects in Abuja, potentially creating a ‘Doha City’ concept in the Nigerian capital. He noted significant security improvements and infrastructural development in Abuja under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, promising Qatari businesses full support to facilitate smooth operations.
Ambassador Al-Hail reiterated Qatar’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties with Nigeria across various sectors, including aviation, trade, and social development. He highlighted Qatar’s foreign ownership laws and regional initiatives like the proposed unified visa, as well as Qatari investments in Nigeria’s infrastructure and social projects. The envoy expressed Qatar’s interest in sharing engineering expertise and urban planning strategies with Abuja.