12 March 2001
Your Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar
High Commissioner, Dr Olagunji
High Commissioner Bangumzi Sifingo
All Ministers Present
Government Officials:
Nearly one and a half years ago, in October 1999, we gathered for the first time here in Abuja to establish a Bi-National Commission of Co-operation between our two countries.
Relations between Nigeria and South Africa underwent a qualitative change and have since then grown from strength to strength. In this regard I would like to pay tribute to the leaders of our two countries for their courageous and clear leadership in bringing our two countries closer to each other.
The first session of this Bi-national Commission was held on the eve of the new millennium and of the new century that we as African people have declared as our own. During that inaugural session, we agreed that the Commission should lay a firm foundation for co-operation and partnership between our two countries within the broader objectives of the African Renaissance.
We also recognised that our two countries were in a position to make a significant contribution towards changing the course that our continent is to take in removing itself from the cycle of poverty, conflict and destitution, to peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.
We have reason to be proud of ourselves, because in the period since the inaugural session of the BNC, significant and visible gains have been made. During the inaugural session, we laid a solid framework upon which the relations between the Nigerian and the South African peoples were to be based.
The second session saw us formalising our relations and putting a legal framework in place, by signing key agreements, aimed at facilitating easier economic interaction for the benefit of our two countries.
In this regard, the promotion of trade and investment and industrial cooperation between our two countries has yielded good results.
This is clearly reflected in the increase in our total trade during the period January to November 2000, which reached R1.8 billion, making Nigeria our fourth largest trading partner and our nuber one supplier of imports on the African continent.
With this session, Mr Vice President, we aim to deepen these relations and pay greater attention to social development and technological advancement for the benefit of the people of our countries.
We have included in our delegation to this session, officials from those government departments dealing with issues such as arts and culture, health, environmental affairs and tourism, sport and youth.
We have done this because we believe that it is important for us to initiate exchanges in these fields to enhance our people centred approach to development.
During this third session, we will hold discussions aimed at the signing of further agreements that confirm our co-operation in the fields of Policing, Defence, Agriculture, Science and Technology and Arts and Culture.
It is clear that we have moved a giant step forward since the last session. This is evidence of a commitment to a long-term relationship that goes beyond mere economic gain. It reflects our common understanding of the importance of a people centred approach towards long-term development. This is important because as Africans we share a bond forged over centuries and reflected in the commonality of our cultures.
The nature of the agreements we are due to sign during this session reflect a common desire for us to find each other and share our experiences, knowledge and resources for the benefit of our people.
The tone set by our two heads of state, President Obasanjo and President Mbeki, in jointly developing the plan for the renewal of Africa, is a clear indication of the irreversible relationship between Nigeria and South Africa. Our two Presidents have understood the urgent need for Africa to respond to the challenges of our times in a positive manner. They have set the trend at the political level.
Though great strides have been made at this level, Your Excellency, I believe that the same sense of urgency needs to filter down to our Ministers and officials.
Your Excellency, we would not be providing leadership if we failed to indicate that some aspects of the agreements signed at the last session of our Binational Commission have not received the necessary attention.
If we are to succeed in meeting Africa's challenges it is important that we develop a culture amongst ourselves of respecting the commitments that we make. We certainly hope that Ministers and officials present today will take note of this.
The challenge for us therefore, Mr Vice President and Ministers, is to support our Presidents in their effort to provide leadership as demonstrated by their initiative to develop the Millennium Africa Renaissance Plan. Better communication and a greater belief in the value of this initiative is therefore needed on both sides. As was the case at the time of the last session, business seems to have taken advantage of this initiative and is certainly moving ahead of us.
While this is indeed a good development, we also need to realise that it is our task to create the correct environment and framework for business to thrive.
A few examples that illustrate the progress that business has made include: M-cell/MTN's successful bid for one of the three GSM licenses in Nigeria and, The US$1.3 billion joint venture between SASOL and Chevron Oil first announced by our two Presidents during the UN Millennium Summit.
Amongst us today we have over 25 business representatives from South Africa, here to explore opportunities ranging from the construction to information technology to the beverage industry. We are hopeful that this will further deepen the interaction between the business people in our two countries, thereby adding value and putting flesh to our agreements. Our parastatals have not been left behind and this is illustrated by the Memorandum of Understanding that has been signed between our ESKOM and NEPA of Nigeria.
Co-operation between our Strategic Fuel Fund Association and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has led to an increase in crude oil trade between our two countries to the level of 55 thousand barrels per day. An MOU has also been signed between South Africa's Umngeni Water Enterprises and Nigeria's River State government. We need therefore to see a matching sense of urgency and commitment on the part of our government officials to ensure that we provide the support that is necessary to take forward our programme.
Mr Vice President, I believe it is important for the two of us to make a commitment that we are going to do all we can to finalise all outstanding details to ensure that all agreements that we signed in Cape Town come into force immediately.
As our officials settle down to explore further areas of co-operation that are required to take our relationship forward, I urge them to do so with a sense of commitment and responsibility that are reflective of the leadership role that Nigeria and South Africa have assumed in the international arena.
Your Excellency, on behalf of my delegation, I must confess to you, our sense of excitement at the prospect of being hosted by you and enjoying, once again, the warmth of your hospitality. As you can see, news of your warm reception during our last visit has spread and, as a result, our delegation has grown significantly since the last time we were in Abuja.
On behalf of the South African delegation and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to you and the government and people of Nigeria for hosting us here in Abuja for this third session of our Binational Commission.
I thank you.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRIVATE BAG X152
PRETORIA 0001