Presidency: We’ll continue to collaborate with China for critical infrastructure

The federal government says it will continue to collaborate with the Chinese government in the area of provision of critical infrastructure.

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, said this on Friday when Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, paid him a visit at Abuja.

A statement by Abiodun Oladunjoye, deputy director (information), state house, quoted him as saying Buhari had been to China two times in furtherance of the cordial relationship and greater collaboration.

“Nigeria has a high respect for China and what China is helping Nigeria to achieve particularly in the area of infrastructure,” Adesina was quoted as saying.

“President Buhari came at a time of severe infrastructure deficit in the country and resolved to make a difference and he is making that difference with the assistance of China. Nigeria appreciates China a lot for these and will continue to collaborate with it.

He assured the ambassador that the president’s media office was ready to join hands with China in advancing the alliance.

In his remark, Jianchun said he was at the villa to solicit the support of the media office and express his gratitude for the strong relations with his country and to seek ways to make it stronger.

He expressed delight at the flag off of the Lagos to Ibadan rail project and unfolded his 5GIST Nigeria-China Growth Development Progress (GDP) strategy to take the bilateral relations to higher levels.

Jianchun added that he looked forward to celebrating 50 years of friendship and bilateral relations between the two countries in October.

The federal government had sought loan facilities from Chinese lenders to implement several infrastructural projects, including standard gauge rail lines.

On Monday, Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, said Nigeria had commenced repayment of loans obtained from China.

The total borrowing by Nigeria from China stood at $3.12 billion as of March 31, 2020, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).