By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of State for Works (HMSW), Mohammed Bello Goronyo, has applauded the partnership between Nigeria and China as a driver of growth in infrastructure, transportation, mining and knowledge transfer.
He noted China’s significant role in projects like the Abuja-Kaduna railway, Lagos-Ibadan expressway and renewable energy initiatives, which have boosted connectivity, commerce and local capacity.
Speaking at the CAETE Exhibition in Africa (Nigeria) and the 18th China Engineering and Technology Expo in Abuja on November 28, 2024, Goronyo emphasised the nations’ shared commitment to sustainable development through strategic cooperation.
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which aims to increase infrastructure’s GDP contribution from 30-35% to 70% by 2043, prioritising investments in transportation, energy, healthcare and water systems.
He also stressed the importance of green infrastructure, smart cities, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability and urged for greater technical training and public-private partnerships.
“I am delighted to share Nigeria’s strides in redefining its infrastructure landscape through the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP). This long-term strategic framework prioritises investments across key sectors, including transportation, energy, water, irrigation and healthcare infrastructures,” the HMSW further emphasised.
NIIMP will promote innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, as well as enhance collaboration with global partners like China to deliver on sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
Through this plan, it is hoped that Nigeria will build robust infrastructure, which will drive industrialisation, improve the quality of lives and position the nation as a hub for trade and investment in Africa.
This is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his Keynote Address, the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Abubakar Sa’id Alkali, commended the progress achieved in the rail, road and maritime sectors through a Nigeria-China collaboration.
The Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Yu Dun Hai described, the partnership as a model for South-south cooperation with transformative projects like the Abuja-Kaduna railway, which showcase the potential of engineering and technology.
The event reaffirmed the role of partnerships in fostering economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development, which align with one of the present administration’s vision of enhancing infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth.
The Chairman of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Mr. Erie Ni, emphasised that the event is of key importance and would deepen the relationship between the two countries, fostering immense innovation, growth and sustainable development.
He stated that “over the years, China and Nigeria have been involved in a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship as Chinese enterprises, engineers and investors have been privileged to contribute to Nigeria’s development in various sectors including construction, telecommunications, energy and transport.”
The Director General and Global Liaison, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership Reached by the Two Countries, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, reiterated the need for enhanced collaboration, cultural exchange and trade to cement a prosperous future for both nations.
