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President Muhammadu Buhari will today embark on a week-long working visit to the People’s Republic of China.
According to the Special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the visit is aimed at securing greater support from Beijing for the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure, particularly in the power, roads, railways, aviation, water supply and housing sectors.
Buhari will hold talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress, Zhang Dejiang.
The discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in line with the Federal Government’s agenda for the rapid diversification of the Nigerian economy, with emphasis on agriculture and solid minerals development.
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“It is expected that in the course of the visit, several new agreements and memorandums of understanding to boost trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China will be concluded and signed,”
The agreements include a Framework Agreement between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the National Development and Reform Commission of the Peoples’ Republic of China to Boost Industrial Activities and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria.
The President is expected to travel with some state governors as well as the Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources, Transport, Defence, Power, Works & Housing, Industry, Trade & Investment, Federal Capital Territory, Science & Technology and Foreign Affairs.
The Chinese have been known for their genuine interest in the development sector of Africa(South of the Sahara). Nigeria has benefited tremendously from the Chinese investments in Africa. The visit to China by PMB is very timely and may constitute significant economic advancement to both countries with Nigeria taking the larger share of the benefits. Undoubtedly, infrastructure of the economy is what Nigeria needs more than anything else. The downward trend from the revenue from crude oil needs to be addressed and the best answer is immediate solution which is the action PMB has decided to tackle with Peking. All stakeholders are accompany the President, which goes a long way to confirm the degree of seriousness of the visit. Negotiation and implementation of each agreement must allow for concrete and solid availability of genuine and brand new and not reconditioned equipment. Facilities for soft loans that will allow for fast economic growth must be negotiated. Conclusively, PMB must find a lasting job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths and this is why the visit is considered timely and laudable..