FCT minister Nyesom Wike has sought investments from Indian investors as part of strategies to fast-track Abuja’s development.

Mr Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser.

“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja. You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. 

“That is part of the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.

The minister said it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria have an unhostile environment so that they can perform their assignments.

Earlier, Mr Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.

The Indian ambassador explained that his country began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before it became independent in 1958 when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.

He said over 155 Indian companies were in Nigeria, with more than $27 billion of investments in various manufacturing areas. He said companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals, among others, in every sector.

According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.

(NAN)