By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja
Kogi state government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen its relationship with the Peoples Republic of China in its efforts to sustain the pace of development in infrastructure and socio-economic transformation.
Governor Idris Wada disclosed this yesterday when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, who was in Lokoja on a courtesy visit to the governor.
He said the state government remained committed to building a relationship with China for development in science and technology, engineering, physical infrastructure and other strategic sectors, adding that “Chinese nationals and corporations have demonstrated remarkable expertise and achieved global relevance.”
Wada, who noted that China and Nigeria had enjoyed strategic partnership in the last 10 years, described the visit of the Chinese envoy as “an opportunity to further cement existing relationship between the Kogi state government and the Chinese Government.”
While commending the Chinese Government and its nationals for their contribution to the development of Nigeria and Kogi state in particular, Wada said the fact that Chinese companies were some of the major contractors to the state government “underscore the confidence reposed in China by the government and people of Kogi state.”
In his remarks, the Chinese envoy said the Chinese government would continue to support development in Kogi state, especially in areas such as agriculture, solid minerals and human development.
He noted that the state was endowed with abundant natural resources “which can be explored for the benefit of Nigerians.”
