- Discusses funding of critical projects
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, wednesday commenced follow-up discussions with the management of the Chinese EXIM Bank in Beijing, China, that will lead to the implementation of the various projects discussed during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to China.
President Buhari during a state visit in April this year reached various agreements with the Chinese government on development assistance particularly the funding of some critical infrastructure in the country. The visit by the president further bolstered Nigeria’s participation in the ten critical areas under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Udoma is in China to attend the FOCAC Coordinators meeting.
In the meeting with the Vice President of EXIM Bank of China, Yuan Xingyong, at the bank’s headquarters in Beijing, Senator Udoma, said Nigeria would appreciate the financial assistance from the Bank to enable it execute some of the basic infrastructure projects that will drive growth, develop the economy of Nigeria and increase business partnership with its global business allies.
Senator Udoma said his visit was to exchange views with the management of the bank and to see how Nigeria can deepen the bilateral cooperation already existing between it and China.
“Our relationship with China is very important to us, which was why our President led a big delegation on a State visit to China in April this year. We are quite impressed with the infrastructural development in China and believe that China has a lot to teach us in Nigeria; particularly we will like the support of China in the area of infrastructure development.”
The Minister said he believes quite strongly that the rapid development of Nigeria will enable the country be a better business partner with China as the volume of business and investments will grow bigger and better.
“We have a list of some projects, some of them we have started work and others about to start, which we had submitted to China for financial assistance. Some of the priority projects, the President has asked me to stress include the Nigerian railway modernization projects from Lagos to Kano – (Lagos –Ibadan) and Lagos – Kano (Kano – Kaduna) which are two parts of the same project; the coastal railway project from Calabar to Lagos, the Mambilla Hydro-electric project and the Niger Delta East West road project.
“These projects are estimated to be completed in three years. Other projects which the Government are interested in developing include power transmission projects, Greater Abuja Water project, Abuja Mass Transit project, Galaxy Backbone project, NTA Digitalization, expansion of Abuja Keffi road, and the dualization of the Akwanga – Keffi road”, he said.
