Nigerian Businessmen Awarded 7 Oil Blocks in Kenya

  According to reports by News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, some Nigerian businessmen have been awarded seven oil blocs for exploration from the 46 newly discovered oil blocs in Kenya. The chairman, Kiprono Kittony, of the Nigeria-Kenya Chamber of Commerce disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at a meeting with prominent business men from both countries. The meeting was part of activities lined up for the state visit of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya to Nigeria. Mr. Kittony said the Joint Nigeria-Kenya Chamber of Commerce, inaugurated during a state visit of President Jonathan to Kenya in September last year, had yielded fruits. During the President’s visit to Nairobi, Kenyan authorities had offered the 46 newly discovered oil blocs to interested Nigerian investors in the oil and gas industry to develop. Mr. Kittony said there had been investments in the financial sector with three Nigerian banks now operating in Kenya, noting that “in the next four years, we will see increased business cooperation and flow of trade. “We appreciate the support we got from government of both countries” NAN wrote. Mr. Kittony added that about 41 top business men from eight sectors accompanied President Kenyatta on the state visit, saying “we have representation from the manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare and financial services, “We also have representations from information and communication technology, agriculture, cotton, textile and the real estate.’’ Aliko Dangote, the Co-Chairman of the Joint Chamber of Commerce and Nigeria’s business mogul, said eight companies from Kenya had established offices in Nigeria. Mr. Dangote, who was represented by his brother, Sanni Dangote, said that in the area of food and beverages, Kenyan tea was now very popular in Nigerian markets. NAN further reported that Mr. Dangote disclosed that there was a proposed establishment of hospitality training institute in Nigeria with technical support from Kenya.