Senate President Ahmad Lawan has appealed to the European Union to help Nigeria ‘standardise’ its agricultural products it exports to Europe.
Lawan made the appeal yesterday when the Ambassador of Finland in Nigeria, Dr Jyrki Pulkkinen paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
“When we export our agricultural products, most of the time, we face issues. The European Union will say we have not met standard or that there are some issues,” Lawan said. He called on the EU to set up an office in Nigeria “where we will be given the standards and be supported to meet the standards.”
“So that when we export our agricultural products, whether in their raw forms as commodities or semi-processed or even processed, the issue of standard will not stop our exporters from getting access and of course sale of their products. That happens in other countries.
“The European Union remains a major partner of Nigeria when it comes to diplomacy. So we are taking this opportunity to appeal to you: Help us set the standards but make us meet the standards,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lawan urged Finland to collaborate with Nigeria in the area of Hi Technology and trade.
The Senate President told his guest that some challenges facing the country require the application of technology to overcome.
“We believe that with you as our friend, you can find appropriate technology for our armed forces and the police to fight the challenges that we face,” Lawan said.
Dr Pulkkinen his missio was to inform the Senate President of the impending visit to Nigeria of a parliamentary committee on Finance from Finland.
