By Abdullahi Muhammad, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has said the the FCT Administration would partner with the Government of Italy on sustainable city tourism and Agricultural Development.
Wike stated this when the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stefano Leo, visited him in his office in Abuja on Friday.
He said that he would personally visit the Ambassador to discuss areas of mutual benefits for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Italy.
He particularly identified the development of Abuja as a sustainable city as one of the areas of interest, including tourism and agricultural development.
“You know very well that Abuja has a very good landscape for agriculture and tourism development,” he added.
The minister explained that the publication of the names of embassies and commissions owing ground rent was not targeted at anybody, but to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He added that the IGR would be utilised for the development of the city.
He assured the ambassador that the FCT Administration would make the environment comfortable for embassies and commissions to carry out their activities and for businesses to thrive.
Earlier, Leo said that he was in the minister’s office to congratulate and wish Wike well in his new assignment as the Minister of the FCT.
He recalled how impressed he was when he visited Rivers State in 2022, and expressed optimism that the minister would do better than he did in Rivers as a governor.
“Having you here in Abuja means we can continue our very good cooperation. I will be glad to host you at the Embassy,” he said.
He said that Rome, the capital city of Italy, was at the forefront of tourism, adding that the country has huge plans to support sustainable city development and new ideas for green city.
“It will be a pleasure to follow your ideas to strengthen cooperation with you,” the Ambassador said.