Nigeria and China on Wednesday, as part of Forum on
China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, signed $328 million agreement for
Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase II
(NICTIB II) project.
This came as President Muhammadu Buhari also sought
the support of Chinese President Xi Jinping for the building of 3050 Megawatts
Mambila hydroelectric power project in Taraba State.
In the same vein, the statement said a Chinese firm
announced its decision to invest $200 million in an industrial park in Kano
State; cotton farms in Funtua, Katsina State, and textile and garment
manufacturing establishments in Aba, Abia State and Lagos State.
In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the $328million
concessional loan agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei
Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Kemi
Adesoun, and Director-General of International Development Agency, Wang
Xiaotoa, and witnessed by Buhari and Jinping.
He said Nigeria and China also signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) for One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).
According to him, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and Director, China’s National Development and
Reform Commission, He Lifeng, signed OBOR, which he described as an initiative
of Jinping, which focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among
multiple countries across the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Shehu said during the meeting with Jinping, Buhari
commended the Chinese Government for successfully hosting FOCAC, and solicited
its support for Mambila hydropower project.
He said Buhari noted that Mambilla project remained
a key priority matter to Nigeria and also sought additional Chinese funding for
four airport terminal projects as well as the Abuja light rail project.
The president aide also said the Buhari thanked
China for accepting to support the international efforts to recharge the Lake
Chad Basin, quoting him as saying: "The inclusion of this project in the
FOCAC Action Plan 2019 to 2021 will go a long way in supporting our efforts to
rehabilitate and resettle the conflict-impacted North-east region."
The statement also said Buhari noted that easy
movement of citizens of both Nigeria and China would complement the currency
swap agreements recently signed by the central banks of both countries.
‘‘Since our last meeting two years ago, Nigeria has
relaxed its visa requirements for Chinese citizens. Today, I am pleased to
inform Your Excellency that Chinese citizens receive Nigerian visas in less
than 48 hours.
‘‘Another measure that will improve our trade
volumes will be to introduce import duty waivers on Nigeria’s commodity exports
to China. Today, our commodities such as sesame seeds, hibiscus and cassava
among others attract import duty in China,’’ Buhari was quoted as saying.
The statement also said Buhari lauded China’s
support for two permanent seats for Africa at the United Nations, noting that
the reform of the UN Security Council would ensure equitable representation for
the continent.
It added that in his remarks, Jinping, who
commended Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and the progress that has been made
so far, promised China’s support in capacity building and intelligence sharing.
The statement also said he pledged 50 million
Chinese Yuan support to Nigeria’s military, saying: ‘‘Buhari is as decisive in
dealing with terrorism as China.’’
Furthermore, it said the Chinese President said
China would import more agricultural products from Nigeria and expressed
gratitude to Buhari on Nigeria’s interest to participate in the forthcoming
Chinese Import Fair.
On Mambilla, the statement said the Chinese leader
said: "We understand how critical the project is to your country and we
will take a serious look at it and ensure that it succeeds because of its
social and economic benefits.’’
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