Uduaghan advocates improved trade relations among African nations

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has advocated an improved trade relations among African countries for speedy economic growth in the region.
Dr. Uduaghan, who made the call on Sunday when the executive members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba, said that improved economic activities between African countries will strengthen relationship among Africans.
He said: “There was no solid economic relationship among African States and this is posing a great challenge to development in the region.”
He decried a situation where it is easier to export goods from African countries to Europe than from one African country to another.
He explained that most African countries export their produce to Europe first, thereby hindering inter-African trade and retarding development in the area.
Uduaghan’s words: “If there is a good trade relationship among African countries, it would have enhanced our development.
“Our economic relationship is not very solid because we export our produce to European countries.”
The governor acknowledged that transportation was a major challenge to improving trade relations among African countries and called for efforts among member states to tackle this problem so that there would be cordial inter-African trade relations.
He decried the fact that Africa has become the dumping ground for all manner of goods and services from Europe and Asia, noting: “This can be solved when there is cordial trade relationship among African nations.”
Speaking further, Uduaghan commended the organization for choosing Delta State for its 66th General Meeting, explaining that it would help market the state investment potentials, especially the Delta Beyond Oil, initiative to the outside world.
He observed that the meeting was a good avenue to enhance the growth of the legislature in the African region as ideas and interactions among African parliamentarians would impact positively on legislative duties across the continent.
While observing that years of military incursions into governance in the country has greatly affected the growth of the legislature in Nigeria, the governor said it was important for legislators in Nigeria to participate in international parliamentary activities to enhance their development and boost the relationship between lawmakers in the commonwealth states.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Association and Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Rt. Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, informed Governor Uduaghan that they were in the state for their 66th Executive Committee meeting and to discuss issues affecting the region as well as enable the organization to chart the way forward.
Maseko thanked the governor for hosting the meeting and used the occasion to call for more women parliamentarians in Nigeria.