Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, says the state is ready to collaborate with Angola to implement the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Bayelsa and Angola’s Namibe Province.
Diri made this known during a courtesy visit by an Angolan delegation led by the Executive Minister of State and Head of the Civil House of the Angolan President, Dionisio Manuel Da Fonseca, in Abuja.
He said the partnership would focus on areas of mutual strength, including fisheries, aquaculture, marine economy, agriculture, tourism, and seaport-related opportunities, with oil and gas also identified as a potential area of cooperation.
The governor noted that the visit was significant, as Nigeria and Angola had signed several agreements in the past that were not implemented, stressing the need for concrete follow-up actions.
Diri said Bayelsa was expecting a return visit from the Governor of Namibe, explaining that earlier plans had been disrupted by scheduling challenges and personal circumstances. He described the latest engagement as a step toward fast-tracking the Bayelsa-Namibe agreement and reviving broader Nigeria-Angola bilateral commitments.
He also invited the Angolan delegation to visit Yenagoa, expressing optimism that the trip would help translate the MoU into practical outcomes.
According to him, Bayelsa and Namibe share similar coastal features and natural resources, and closer cooperation at the sub-national level would strengthen relations between both countries and promote intra-African trade.
In his remarks, Da Fonseca said Angola’s visit was partly driven by Nigeria’s historic support for Angola’s independence struggle.
He explained that the Angolan President, who currently chairs the African Union, could not travel to Nigeria due to his imminent handover of the continental leadership.
Da Fonseca said Angola was committed to working with Bayelsa to implement the agreement, particularly in tourism, trade, business, and investment.
He described Namibe as one of Angola’s top tourism destinations and expressed confidence that the partnership would encourage two-way investment between both sides.
