Fast-track Infrastructure Projects in Nigeria, FG Begs China

• Fast-track Infrastructure Projects in Nigeria, FG Begs China

The Federal Government on Wednesday called on the Chinese Government and private companies handling key infrastructural development projects in Nigeria to speed up the execution of such in order to accelerate the nation’s quest for economic recovery and rapid industrialisation.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, made the request in Abuja when a Chinese business delegation led by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingian, met him in his office.

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 the size of its Gross Domestic Product.

A statement by the ministry said Udoma assured the delegation that with the commitment of the Federal Government to address the infrastructure gap in the country, the Nigerian economy would soon begin to see improvements in key sectors.

Pingjian told the minister that the delegation’s visit was a follow up to the recent visit of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister; adding that his home government was ready to fulfil its obligations to Nigeria on all agreements reached in respect of critical infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the readiness of his country for the early completion of all infrastructural projects being funded and handled by China in Nigeria, noting that the government would mobilise giant Chinese corporations to participate in the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure.

The envoy said a lot of Chinese investors were also willing to invest in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.