United States diplomats led by the Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations, Mr. Rick Barton on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The delegation which included the Director of Africa Operations, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations Mr. Neal Kringel and the Consular-General of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins. Mr. Barton said they were in the state to explore ways of assisting the state government in any conflict situation.
Mr. Barton highlighted the good relations between the United States of America and Nigeria and commended Governor Amaechi for his work in Rivers State and his ability to resolve problems.
“Thank you Mr. Governor, it’s a great pleasure to be here with you. We have had the chance to savour your hospitality and to enjoy your state for the last 24 hours and it’s been a great pleasure. We’ve had the chance to drive out to the countryside and to visit with some of your constituents and to get a feeling of what you and your cabinet are doing here in the state to advance the confidence of the public and the state of the cordial life of your citizens,” he said.
Mr. Barton said the United States and Nigeria are great friends and recalled his time at the United Nations when Nigeria was serving on the Security Council which he noted was characterized by both countries aligning on most critical issues of the time especially the Millennium Development Goals.
Addressing his guests, Amaechi informed them that things were improving tremendously in the Niger Delta, with particular reference to Port Harcourt which he noted is now safe for foreigners.
The Governor urged the United States to resume the flow of its businesses back into the state.
