MON, June 11 2018-theG&BJournal-Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco on Monday signed three agreements, which included a regional gas pipeline, production of ammonia and its derivatives as well as a cooperation agreement on vocational training and technical supervision of agricultural workers.
The agreement followed a State Reception at the Royal Palace in Rabat Sunday evening for President Muhammed Buhari and hosted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Presidency in a tweet shortly after the reception said that the leaders will discuss ”strengthening cooperation in fertilizer production, the gas pipeline project and establishing a basic chemicals platform in Nigeria.”
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja today said that the agreements was a result of a meeting between the two African leaders focused on strengthening economic relations in gas resource development, global investments and agricultural training and management.
The gas resource development agreement was signed by the Group General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Farouq Garba, and Mrs Amina Benkhadra, Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbon and Mines.
The feasibility study of the agreement on the 5,660 km long Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) will be concluded by July 2018, while construction of the pipeline would be phased based on needs of countries over the next 25 years.
Shehu also hinted that the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a chemical plant in Nigeria for producing ammonia and its derivatives.
The agreement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Authority, Mr Uche Orji and the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Management of Phosphate in Morocco, Mr Mostafa Terrab.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh and his Moroccan counterpart, Mr Aziz Akhannouch, signed a cooperation agreement on vocational training and technical supervision of agricultural workers. The agreement is expected to enhance local skills on better management of agricultural outfits in Nigeria.
