The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian-owned investments in Angola and safeguarding the interests of Nigerians living and conducting legitimate businesses abroad.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during an inspection of facilities at Cidade De Motores, also known as City of Engines, located at Golf 2 in Luanda.
The facility serves as a major market established by Nigerian auto spare parts dealers in Angola.
According to her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, in a statement on Thursday, Odumegwu-Ojukwu visited the market on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, where she commended the Nigerian traders for their resilience and entrepreneurial achievements.
The minister described the project as evidence of the determination and pioneering spirit of Nigerians, noting that the Federal Government would not allow legitimate investments made by Nigerians abroad to be undermined.
She said the protection of Nigerian businesses would feature prominently in future engagements between Nigeria and Angola, particularly during the next Nigeria-Angola Joint Commission.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also assured the traders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to the welfare and protection of Nigerians across the world.
She urged members of the Nigerian community in Angola to obey the laws of their host country and continue to project a positive image of Nigeria.
The minister further called for unity among the traders, warning against ethnic discrimination in the administration and management of the market.
“There should be no room for tribalism,” she said.
Speaking earlier, the President of the United Auto Parts Dealers Association, Mr. Chuks Ukachi, thanked the minister for visiting the market despite her busy official engagements in Angola.
Ukachi said the establishment of the market followed challenges encountered by Nigerian traders after they were stopped by Angolan authorities from operating along roadsides.
According to him, many of the traders were left without a place to conduct their businesses for about two years, leading to the conception and development of the new market.
He said the facility was open to Nigerians and Angolans interested in the auto spare parts business and was established to promote unity, economic cooperation and a positive image of Nigeria.
Ukachi appealed to the Federal Government to support efforts aimed at securing and protecting the market, which represents a substantial investment by Nigerian entrepreneurs in Angola.