Nigeria has inaugurated a newly constructed chancery in Bissau.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, performed the inauguration on Friday to coincide with Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary.

Mr Aduda said building was an indication of Nigeria’s readiness improved bilateral relations with the West African nation.

He said the two nations has been diplomatic partners for a long time.

“We have enjoyed very cordial relations and it is as a result of this that we have taken it a step further to put in place this property,” he said.

“Often time it is not every mission that comes into a country that build a property like this, so this shows the importance and value that we attach to Guinea Bissau.”

Mr Aduda said the building was carefully conceived to be able to cater for the needs of not just the embassy workers but Nigerians in Guinea Bissau.

He explained that in addition to the office spaces, the edifice housed modern restaurant and canteen as well as a 400-seat capacity multipurpose hall upon completion.

“The idea is to promote unity by making it open to Nigerian community to hold their meetings, weddings and other celebrations here under secured and safe environment.

“We will also be happy to share our space with other missions when the need arises and therefore, it has been strategically located for easy accessibility,” he said.

Mr Aduda commended the Nigeria Ambassador to Guinea Bissau, John Usanga, for taking the initiative of moving to the new structure within a short time of assuming duty.

“Even the environment is different and the work energy that it will bring will definitely be different because a work environment affects productivity,” he said.

Ambassador Usanga said moving into the property had brought to a close all the unpleasant experiences the mission had experienced in a rented apartment.

He said the development would also resolve any doubt about Nigeria’s commitment to Guinea Bissau and the ECOWAS subregion as a whole.

“What we are witnessing today is not just the opening of a Chancery building but the marking of an epoch that will deepen Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Guinea Bissau,” he said.

Mr Usanga thanked the permanent secretary for taking time out of his busy schedule to come to Bissau for the inauguration.

The ceremony was attended by Suzy Barbisa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Guinea Bissau, Ovido Pequeno, and Emmanuel Ohim, AU and ECOWAS representatives respectively in Guinea Bissau.

Alexander Egorov, the Russian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in that country led other Ambassadors to the event.

(NAN)