By Dipo Olowookere
Chinese government and private companies’ handling key infrastructural development projects in Nigeria have been urged to speed up the execution of such projects in order to accelerate the nation’s quest for economic recovery and rapid industrialization.
Budget and National Planning Minister, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma made the request in Abuja when the Chinese business delegation led by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian met the Minister on a working visit.
Mr Udoma told the Chinese delegation that timely completion of the Mambila Hydropower project, the National Rail Line project and key trunk ‘A’ Roads across the country would boost Nigeria’s economy and increase her Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking earlier, leader of the Chinese delegation and that country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Pingjian told the Minister that the delegation’s visit is a follow up to the recent visit of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister; and that China stands ready to fulfil all her obligations to Nigeria on all agreements reached in respect of Nigeria’s critical infrastructure.
Reaffirming Chinese readiness for early completion of all infrastructural projects handled by China in Nigeria, Ambassador Zhou Pingjian said his country is ready to mobilize giant Chinese corporations to participate in the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure as well as invest in critical sectors of the country’s economy.
Mr Pingjian assured the Minister that China will continue to work hard to broaden and deepen her relationship with Nigeria with the aim of achieving win-win outcomes for the two countries.
