THE United States (U.S.) government has expressed its readiness to work with President Goodluck Jonathan just as the Africans and Americans prepare for the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) summit next week in Lusaka, Zambia.
Recalling his participation last Sunday at the inauguration of President Jonathan, which he personally attended, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, disclosed on Wednesday afternoon: "I returned Monday from Nigeria, where I had the honour to lead the presidential delegation to the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria's new president."
According to Carson, "that event signified substantial progress in Nigeria's democratic development and a new beginning for the Nigerian people. We in Washington look forward to working with President Jonathan and the people of Nigeria to help them build on the 2011 elections to create a just, strong, and more prosperous future for all Nigerians."
Speaking to the press in Washington DC, as many Nigerians and their friends around the world await the composition of a new cabinet, Carson commended the progress of Nigeria's electoral and democratic transition.
In an earlier interview, Carson had said in April after Jonathan was declared winner of the presidential elections that the U.S. hoped "he will act in both a responsible and inclusive manner in the selection of those individuals for his cabinet and that in doing so, he will be reaching out to heal the political divisions that were uncovered during the election process."
On the AGOA summit in Zambia, the U.S. official added that the initiative "is an important part of the overall engagement of the United States with Africa."
Through AGOA, according to him, the U.S. seeks "to help the nations of sub-Saharan Africa become important partners in the global economy, and the trade opportunities offered under AGOA provide the means to help that happen. Just as Africa can profit from taking further advantage of AGOA opportunities, stronger economies and markets in Africa offer opportunities for American companies and workers as well."
According to him, last year alone, AGOA-eligible countries including Nigeria exported some $44 billion in products to the U.S., although petroleum products continue to account for the largest portion of AGOA imports with some 91 per cent of the share of overall AGOA imports.
Source: U.S. offers to partner Jonathan on Nigeria's growth (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50118:us-offers-to-partner-jonathan-on-nigerias-growth-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)