Accra, Sept. 15, GNA - The Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Musiliu Obanikoro, on Tuesday sounded a wake up call to Ghana to strengthen her law enforcement agencies to fight the envisaged rise in crime rate that will come alongside the country's oil discovery. He said there was the need for Ghana and Nigeria to collaborate and address the issue of crime from both ends "instead of trying to tackle it alone".

Mr Obanikoro gave the caution when he called on the Greater Accra Regional Minister Nii Armah Ashitey in Accra. Answering a question on the involvement of Nigerians in several crimes in Ghana, the Nigeria High Commissioner admitted their involvement some crimes in Ghana but said there were Ghanaians involved in similar crimes in Nigeria.

"There is the need for us as countries that have a lot in common to partner, beef-up and be more proactive in finding a solution to the problem rather than being reactive".

Mr Obanikoro hinted that the paperwork on the first consignment of the crude oil from the Government of Nigeria to Ghana had been done but was being saddled with some challenges from both countries, and that "as soon as such problems are addressed, the crude oil would be delivered". On the West Africa Gas Pipeline, the Nigerian High Commissioner expressed regret that after all the efforts put in to ensure it's implementation, some challenges had cropped up to stall the project. He called on the countries involved to put pressure on the Secretariat to make the dream and purpose of the project fruitful.

He also condemned the recent media reportage on Ghanaweb of September 09, 2009, which alleged that Nigerian Ministers of Information, Education and Defence had made some derogatory remarks about Ghana.

The High Commissioner said investigations revealed that the story was not true and the name of the alleged Minister did not even exist.

"Ghana and Nigeria have been friends for a long time and history indicates that we have a lot in common; therefore, we should not allow certain people to destroy the good relationship and partnership we have because of their own agenda", he added.

He called for a stronger partnership in the area of trade and urged Ghana to reconsider the 300,000 dollars threshold for one to go into business in the sub region, saying it was "punitive".

Mr Ashitey said the two countries played key roles in the sub-region as well as the African Union, and said though the trade liberalisation scheme allowed free flow of goods in the region, countries were trading with Europe and America instead of the sub-region.

He reiterated the need to relocate residents of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the yam market, adding, "We cannot allow such slums to be in the heart of the city". 15 Sept. 09