The Enugu State government and the European Union (EU) have pledged to strengthen their partnerships across various sectors of the economy.

The partnership was announced when Gautier Mignot, ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led the EU delegation on a visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, on Saturday.

The delegation comprised the Belgian ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, and his Portuguese counterpart, Paulos Santos, among other senior diplomats.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Mignot said the EU was eager to strengthen partnerships with Enugu State in ways that meet the administration’s expectations and aligned with its vision.

Mr Mignot stated that the EU was partnering with Enugu in the energy and education sectors. He said that, regarding energy, several projects are ongoing, including solar for health.

“Enugu is one of the seven states benefiting from this project, and under it, we will provide technical assistance and funding for the construction of 20 solar microgrids to power 20 primary health centres and 124 small and medium-sized enterprises.

“We also have the Small Hydro Power for Agro-industrial Sectors Project implemented by UNIDO.

“Finally, we have the Nigeria Energy Support Programme, which is implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ,” Mr Mignot stated.

He said the investment included electrification and support for investment, training and capacity building, and funding for three interconnected mini-grids with a capacity of up to 1MW to electrify 1,000 beneficiaries.

Mr Mignot revealed that Enugu State was one of the states selected from the six geopolitical zones for the “Education and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria, Expand, Integrate, and Strengthen Systems (EISS).”

He noted that it would build teachers’ capacity and resilience and that it was being implemented by UNESCO.

Mr Mignot highlighted the partnership between the EU and the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival, an annual event in Enugu.

On his part, Ambassador Leenknegt highlighted Belgium’s various economic interests in Enugu State and Nigeria, including Emenite Limited, a joint Nigerian-Belgian venture.

“They have existed here since 1961. They are definitely delivering high-quality products. It is a company with more than 300 employees from the region.

“I think it will be good to keep fostering this relationship between Belgium and Nigeria,” he stated.

Speaking, the ambassador of Portugal, Mr Santos, emphasised Portugal’s interests and investments in the energy, infrastructure, and agricultural sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Mr Mbah, in his remarks, appreciated the EU for its partnership and for aligning its programmes with those of his administration in education, health, and other sectors.

“I have seen a huge alliance between our vision and projects and the aims and objectives of what the EU is doing, particularly as regards your programmes and projects across Africa.

“It has become necessary to equip Enugu children with knowledge and skills to compete in the global economy; hence, we are investing over 33 per cent of our total budget in education.

“It is a radical move. We know that if we fail to spend that money and equip these kids, we will pay 10 times the money in the future,” Mr Mbah stated.

He therefore invited the EU and its member states to take advantage of the opportunities in Enugu State’s aviation and energy sectors.

(NAN)