President Bola Tinubu has assured Chinese investors that their investments are safe in Nigeria.
Tinubu also said his administration will always provide
needed support to ensure businesses thrive.
The president spoke on Friday when he received a delegation
led by Dai Hegen, chairman of the China Railway Construction Corporation
(CRCC), in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special
adviser to the president on media and publicity.
He said his administration welcomes the opportunity to
expand business collaboration with the company as well as upgrade critical
infrastructure and facilities for the mutual benefit of both parties.
“I have listened to you carefully. Your operation is
consistent with our objectives. We are reforming the economy and taking crucial
actions to ensure accelerated growth,” Tinubu said.
“The CRCC, with its subsidiary, CCECC, is a leading company
and one of the best partners to work with. I am happy that you are partnering
Nigeria in so many areas, particularly in rail construction.
“We will do everything required to ensure that the rail link
between the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan railway and the Federal Capital
Territory is completed. We must connect the hinterland with our coastal
seaports.
“I am proud of what I started as governor of Lagos state
with the Lekki Free Trade Zone. It is now a flourishing environment. It is
important to give you the assurance that we will do well to strengthen our
partnership and relations.”
He commended the corporation, particularly its subsidiary,
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), headquartered in
Beijing, for its efforts in delivering value on infrastructural projects in the
country.
‘SOLID MINERALS DEVELOPMENT NEXT FRONTIER FOR COLLABORATION’
Tinubu urged the corporation to also explore other avenues
of cooperation, especially in solid minerals.
“The door is open for partnership, and partnership that will
add value to both sides. Solid minerals development is the next frontier for
mutually beneficial growth and collaboration,” he said.
“We need each other. The sustainable path to success is a
two-way street. We assure you that your investment is safe in our country. Once
you succeed here, I know your reputation in other countries will be further
strengthened.”
In his remarks, CRCC’s chairman highlighted some of the
projects in the works and those completed by the corporation.
“In the railway construction sector, the Kano-Kaduna railway
is 39 percent completed and is on course for completion in the second quarter
of 2026,” Hegen said.
“The Abuja-Kaduna railway and Lagos-Ibadan railway have
carried approximately nine million passengers since they were completed and
commissioned.
“Freight services have officially commenced along
Lagos-Ibadan axis since September 2023, and a total 180,000 tons of cargo have
been transported.”
Hegen added that the corporation has signed investment
cooperation agreements with 119 companies, stimulating investments of $3
billion, and creating 4,000 direct jobs for Nigerians, as well as paying $125
million in taxes.
He said there are plans to increase investments in key
areas, such as agriculture, power, solid minerals, natural gas, and renewable
energy technologies to promote the economic development of the country.
Hegen extended the invitation of the Chinese government to
the president to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to
further deepen cooperation along mutual areas of interest.
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I hope Nigerians will be safe too. That's more important.
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