FRAMEWORK FOR PARTNERSHIP: TEAM NIGERIA MEETS GON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000815 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT PASS USTR FOR AGAMA DAKAR FOR FAA MKEANE DOE FOR PERSON USDA FOR FAS VERDONK AND MCKINNELL DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS DOT FOR KSAMPLE E.O. 12958 TAGS: PREL ECON EAID ETRD EAIR SNAR NI SUBJECT: FRAMEWORK FOR PARTNERSHIP: TEAM NIGERIA MEETS GON MINISTERS REF: ABUJA 395 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Ambassador and an interagency team met, for the second time this year, with senior-level Nigerian officials as part of the "U.S.-Nigeria Framework for Partnership" in April 2008. During the exchange, the Minister of State for Power reported that the Government of Nigeria (GON) will soon announce a new multi-year electricity tariff as an incentive for U.S. investors. A Minister of Transport representative indicated that the Civil Aviation Authority was in the process of approving World Airways re-entry rights for passengers and freight, and a decision requesting approval for Air Marshalls on Delta Flights was forthcoming. The USG and GON agreed to continue working on common goals and objectives through creating inter-agency thematic working groups in the areas of Peace and Security, Economic Growth and Trade, Investing in People, and Governing Justly. Following setup, the working groups will report outcomes to the quarterly Framework for Partnership senior level reviews. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador was accompanied by the Economic Counselor, Agricultural Attach, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Program Officer, Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) Chief, and the USAID Mission Director. The GON officials included: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Baguda Hirse, Minister of State for Defense Fidelia Auababa Njeze, Minister of Interior Godwin Abbe, Minister of State for Energy (Power) Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim, and Special Senior Assistant to the President for Economic Matters (SSAP) J.O. Ayo. Others present included Permanent Secretary for Power, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),representative for the Ministry of Transport and Presidential and Ministry of Foreign Affairs staffers. The session was chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hirse. Business and Trade -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador told the GON that import bans and high tariffs are blocking U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) and that there has been little progress on the Trade Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The GON continues to maintain import bans on a range of agricultural products including maize, beef and pork products, as well as poultry and poultry products, edible oil and a number of other products. She urged Nigeria to become a player in the Economic Community of Western Africa States (ECOWAS) and to adopt common external tariff (CET). The Ambassador and the Economic Counselor emphasized that the Mission and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) are ready to begin expert-level discussion but it is up to the GON to set up next round of talks, particularly if seeking progress on bilateral investment treaty (BIT). (NOTE: The first TIFA quarterly digital video conference between the US and Nigeria took place in April. Both sides had robust teams participate and several bilateral irritants were discussed during the five hours. END NOTE.) ¶4. (SBU) The Minister of Transport (MOT) representative indicated that the Civil Aviation Authority was in the process of approving World Airways re-entry rights for passenger and freight service and a decision requesting approval for the Air Marshalls on Delta flights are forthcoming. In addition, MOT requested technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation on railways infrastructure planning and construction and hopes to work closely with the USG. Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim, Minister of State for Power, reported that the GON will soon announce new multi-year electricity tariff as an incentive to U.S. investors. Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption -------------- ¶5. (SBU) INL Program Officer reported that the Mission met with the Head of the Civil Service Federation and discussed establishing working groups to promote transparency and accountability for salaries, wages, pensions and employee records by developing automated systems. Ibrahim stressed the need for personnel and procurement reforms to resolve problems in the power sector. J.O. Ayo, Special Assistant to the President on the Economic Matters, ABUJA 00000815 002 OF 002 told INL Officer, after the meeting, that the government is interested in capacity building on ethics, fraud and anti-corruption. ¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador asked Godwin Abbe, Minister of Interior, if he is interested in replicating the successful Kaduna State program on community policing in the rest of the country. Abbe commented that the Federal level was the best mechanism to coordinate community policing programs rather than through state governments. (COMMENT: The Mission does not support Abbe's opinion on working only with the federal while ignoring state and local governments, and will continue to engage with all stakeholders. END COMMENT.) Health -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The Ambassador and the USAID Director expressed concern with the rising number of polio cases compared to the same period last year and urged the GON to show serious political and financial commitment to polio eradication. Nigeria is one of only four countries in the world where polio is endemic and most recent data shows that polio has spread to more northern states since last year. The USAID Director emphasized that the USG is committed to assisting Nigeria, but this effort needs high-level GON involvement and commitment. ¶8. (SBU) The USAID Director continued that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has estimated that there is a $260 million polio eradication funding gap for 2008, and 2007 GON commitments to provide $35-40 million did not fully materialize. Approximately only $13 million was available by the end of 2007 from Millennium Development Goals (MDG) funds. In 2008 the GON reported an additional $13 million would be made available, however this amount falls short of the need highlighted by UNICEF. ¶9. (SBU) The Ministers all expressed surprise at the rise in polio cases. The USAID Director explained that for the vaccine to be successful - 100% of the children have to be vaccinated. The Ambassador also covered polio issue in a private meeting with President Yar'Adua later that evening. He took note of the sensitivity of the issue and said he would have the Acting Health Minister engage more in order to avoid a larger problem. ¶10. (SBU) On Peace and Security, Ambassador Sanders addressed with Defense Minister forward movement on battalion for Somalia, highlighted a need for a SOFA and engagement with the U.S. on maritime issues. Thematic Working Groups -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The Ambassador suggested, and Ministers agreed to continue further discussions on issues of Peace and Security, Economic Growth and Trade, Investing in People, Governing Justly in order for things to more forward in the bilateral relationship in the Framework for Partnerships. ¶11. (SBU) COMMENT: The U.S.-Nigeria Framework for Partnership is moving forward. After two Ministerial meetings in February and April 2008, the USG and the GON will continue cooperation by tackling specific issues through the thematic working group meetings. END COMMENT. SANDERS 1