Nigeria and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are to strengthen the existing collaboration in energy, technical, cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.
This was the high point of the bilateral discussion between President Goodluck Jonathan and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar during the two days state visit by President Jonathan to the Caribbean nation.
It was revealed that the Ministry of Energy Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago together with other stakeholders are already working on a proposed gas processing plant under the technical energy assistant project with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to harness the country’s huge gas reserves.
Also 57 young Nigerians have been trained in shield maintenance, power welding, automotive service and industrial mechanical maintenance as well as other related courses from the National Energy Skills center at the Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation.
The Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tertiary Education and skills training also made a commitment to establish a similar skills center in Nigeria.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar who spoke on other areas of cooperation between the countries, noted that the state visit of Jonathan was indicative of the government’s commitment to the exchange of high level visits that started in 1964 when former prime minister, Dr. Eric Williams, visited Nigeria as part of an African tour to signal Trinidad and Tobago’s desire to re-connect with the continent as a newly independent nation.
She said that commitment was reinforced in 2008 when Trinidad and Tobago embarked on the Africa Energy Initiative, offering technical consultation and assistance in the energy sector to several African states.
She noted that the initiative is currently under revision in order to improve efficiency for all stakeholders.
The Prime Minister noted that the island nation will continue to collaborate with Nigeria in energy and other related projects, adding that she looks forward to welcoming delegations from Nigeria to visit Trinidad and Tobago for exchanges in this area.
President Jonathan was the special guest of honor at the this year’s Kambule street procession marking the 174 years of the emancipation of Trinidad and Tobago which was held amidst pomp and pageantry.
President Jonathan departed the Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica Thursday morning.
