President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday restated his determination to bridge the infrastructural deficits in the country, saying sustainable development is not possible when a country is hobbled by severe infrastructural shortfalls.

The Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, quoted the president as stating this yesterday at State House, Abuja, while hosting the State Councillor and Foreign Minister, People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Yi.

We thank China for its support to us in various ways; in building of rail, road, power, defence, and many others. You are helping us to reduce our severe infrastructural deficits and we are glad. There cannot be sustainable development without infrastructural development,

Buhari said.

He stated that Nigeria would continue to honour its obligations in the relationship with the People’s Republic of China,

as you are making a big difference, which we appreciate very much.

The Chinese minister applauded what he called the

mutual trust and sound personal friendship

between Buhari and President Xi Jinping of China, noting that it has guided the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

He added that China loves to begin the year’s diplomatic work from Africa and Nigeria was chosen as the first port of call in 2021, since the year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He described Nigeria as a country with great regional and international influence, adding,

we trust, understand and support each other. We will continue to value each other.

The minister said his country would encourage Chinese companies to increase their investments in Nigeria, while China would also share experience and techniques in areas like digital economy, defence and many others.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.