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US Will Block Stolen Nigerian Funds From American Banks- Envoy

Published

8 years ago

July 3, 2016

The outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has assured that the US is committed to ensure no stolen public funds from Nigeria are laundered through American banks.

Entwistle said that the Obama administration was committed to stand with Nigeria in its fight against corruption.

According to him, the U.S. government has offered technical assistance to Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies for the training of investigators and prosecutors.

Speaking yesterday, at the 240th United States Independence Anniversary celebration cocktail party in Abuja, said his country looked forward to deeper cooperation with the Nigerian government to ensure freedom for Nigerians.

“Not just the political freedom you exercised last year, but freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom from sickness, and freedom from corruption. The last election was tremendous democratic success, not only for Nigeria, but the growth of democracy across Africa.

“As you fight Boko Haram and secure and rebuild the Northeast, and you strive for harmony in the Niger Delta and across the land, we will continue to help in every appropriate way.

“Indeed, let us redouble our efforts on the humanitarian front in the Northeast. Nigerians are dying of starvation in Nigeria.

“The United States stands with every Nigerian who believes that Nigeria can be healthier, safer, and more prosperous,” he said.

On the economy, the envoy said Nigeria at the moment was headed in the right direction on issues like fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate. He urged government to continue to create an environment that would attract more foreign investments.

The biggest U.S. companies in Nigeria, he said, have been here for decades. He added that it was important for government to maintain an environment that would attract more foreign investments to the country.