Mayor of Houston wants to establish direct flights to Nigeria as well as open consular office

NIGERIA is on course to gain from increased trade with the US state of Texas after the mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner revealed that he is working on the establishment of a consular office in his domain and the establishing of direct flights.

Mr Turner made this known in Abuja this week, after meeting with some Nigerian government ministries and the business community. He is currently on a business trip to the country, which he said is aimed at expanding trade and enhancing relations between Houston and Nigeria.

Leading a delegation from diverse sectors in Huston to meet with their Nigerian counterparts, Mr Turner said he in the country to mull ways of expanding trade, investment and bilateral relations. He added that Houston hosts the highest number of Nigerian diasporans in the US, hence the need to strengthen policies that would enhance the already existing relations.

According to the mayor, he was looking at expanding ties and businesses in aviation, agriculture, energy, maritime, technology and innovation, medical tourism, among others, to ensure an environment of certainty where businesses could thrive. He pointed out that Nigeria was a growing economic market, so it made huge sense for businesses in the US and specifically Houston to be doing business with the country.

Mr Turner said: “It is about enhancing the relationship that currently exists and we are meeting with business leaders and also governmental leaders. Bear in mind that the president is yet to put in his cabinet but we are meeting with a number of permanent secretaries in various sectors, trade, business, investment, aviation.

“There are sole priorities for us and one is dealing with a direct flight from Nigeria to Houston and Houston to Nigeria. Because when you start talking about trade and investment, you need to make it as easy as possible for persons to go from one place to another, so that has been a top priority.

“One of the largest diasporas outside Nigeria is in Houston. There are more Nigerians in Huston than they are in New York, Los Angeles Atlanta, and so we need a consular office in the area of Houston, so, we are hoping to encourage the Nigerian government to set up a consular office.

“When I came to office eight years ago, that was one of the biggest requests from the Nigerian community in Houston so we want to enhance that. The third is to simply enhance the trade and investment between the two. Right now, Nigeria is Houston’s largest trading partner."

He noted that Houston was not engaging to take way from Nigeria but pushing for businesses and engagements that would be a win-win and mutually beneficial. Furthermore, the mayor also expressed optimism in the present administration, adding that the US was always ready to support the Nigerian government.