Don't be discouraged 'Jonathan tells American investors

PRESIDENT GoodluckJonathan has appealed to American investors not to let the present security challenges in the country to discourage them from investing in it, assuring that his administration will do all that is necessary to protect such investments. Making the plea on Wednesday night in New York, he said that attracting greater foreign direct investment to accelerate domestic growth and creating more jobs for unemployed Nigerians are now the major focus of Nigeria's foreign policy.He was speaking at a dinner organised in his honour by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), which attracted heads of corporate organisations, leading American businessmen and potential investors in Nigeria."We appreciate that as a nation, we have security challenges. Let me assure you that government is on top. We are changing security architecture based on the challenges we have. We are dealing with the situation decisively. I can assure you that the issue of kidnapping and especially the excesses of the local militia groups with some terrorist traits will soon be a thing of the past," he declared.President Jonathan reassured that adequate safety nets have been established to protect all foreign investors in Nigeria, noting that such measures included the establishment and strengthening of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Public Procurement. President Jonathan said that his administration was wholly committed to promoting the development of a knowledge-economy that would enhance the security of life and property, thereby accelerating growth to providing more employment and reduce youth restiveness.He stated that attracting foreign investment to support the realisation of the Federal Government's Agenda for National Transformation was now the topmost priority of Nigeria's diplomacy abroad.President Jonathan said: 'Let me restate here that Nigeria's foreign policy is now anchored on the realisation of this Transformation Agenda through the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment. Under the new policy thrust, our Diplomatic Missions abroad have been directed to focus more on attracting investment to support the domestic programmes of government with a view to achieving not only our Vision 20:2020, but to bequeathing an enduring a legacy of economic prosperity.
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