Fakoyejo Olalekan
President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has said Nigerians have China to thank for the improved infrastructure in the transportation sector of Nigeria.
Adesina, who occupies the position of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said Buhari’s history will be incomplete without the mention of China and the role played through investment in rail, aviation, power, amongst others.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHe made this known during the visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, CUI Jianchun and the new Deputy Chief of Mission/Ministerial Councilor, Zhang Yi, to the State House, on Friday.
In a statement obtained by Prime Business Africa, Adesina said, “President Buhari has very great respect for China. Many times he has spoken about the support from China and he deeply appreciates it. President Buhari and President Xi Jinping share respect and friendship.
“Nigeria appreciates the mutual cooperation with China and we pray that diplomatic relations will continue to be strong and mutually beneficial. President Buhari has visited China twice and also participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting in South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Jianchun reiterated China’s commitment to trade and military partnership with Nigeria, which is part of its ‘5GOAL NIGERIA-CHINA GDP STRATEGY’; political consonance, economic cooperation, military collaboration, international coordination and people communication.
In the statement, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria said investment from the Asian countries will continue to flow into railway, road, ports, electricity, ICT, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, among others, across the country.
One of the ongoing projects financed by the Chinese government includes the 700MW Zungeru hydroelectric power plant under construction in Niger State, and Jianchun said China is committed to its completion and operationalisation.
