Nigeria's partnership with China under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has yielded returns to Africa's most populous nation and President Muhammadu Buhari says different sectors of the nation's economy have benefited from it.
President Buhari on Tuesday, September 4th addressed the FOCAC Round Table meeting in Beijing and told the gathering that several infrastructure projects valued at over $5 billion have been executed in Nigeria in the last three years of the current administration.
The FOCAC Round Table meeting was attended by African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Highlighting specific projects under FOCAC, the President said through the Chinese support, that Nigeria had impressively addressed significant challenges in the areas of infrastructure, human capacity development, power, transport, agriculture and also received humanitarian assistance.
''For Nigeria, our partnership with China through the FOCAC platform, has resulted in the construction of the first urban rail system in West Africa. This $500 million project in Abuja was commissioned in July this year," he told the gathering.
The President also cited the construction and operation of the first rail system in Africa that uses modern Chinese standards and technology.
"This 180km rail line that connects Abuja and Kaduna was commissioned two years ago at a cost of $500 million. Today the rail line is functioning efficiently with no issues – indeed, a sign that Chinese technology is world class.
''Nigeria is leveraging Chinese funding to execute $3.4 billion worth of projects at various stages of completion. These include the upgrading of airport terminals, the Lagos – Kano rail line, the Zungeru hydroelectric power project and fibre cables for our internet infrastructure.
''Furthermore, less than 3 months ago, Nigeria signed an additional $1 billion loan from China for additional rolling stock for the newly constructed rail lines as well as road rehabilitation and water supply projects," he said, listing some of the projects that Nigerians have benefited from.
The Nigerian leader said that the aforementioned projects demonstrated the high level of consistency and commitment China had shown in boosting its relations with African countries under the umbrella of FOCAC.
''I am optimistic that this Summit will offer new opportunities that would build on these past achievements,” he said, adding that, ''Nigeria will continue to support the FOCAC initiative and also seek to key into the Belt and Road Initiative as an additional Chinese mechanism to build further cooperation in our quest for infrastructural and economic development.”
President Buhari dispelled insinuations about the so-called death trap by the Chinese government on developing countries, insisting that Nigeria would be able to re-pay the loans
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