China Partners Nigeria on Housing, Infrastructure, Others

China’s One Belt – One Road Initiative delegation to Nigeria has disclosed that the interest to partner with the Federal government of Nigeria on low-cost housing development, power generation and road construction, is as a result of President Muhammadu Buhari’s MOU with the government of the People’s Republic of China, detailing that the agreed joint venture is expected to strengthen both countries’ economies.

According to the delegation’s Chairman, Mr. Rujun Yuan, who commended the Chairman, Blue Diamond Logistics, China, Mr. Uzoma Mbisiogu for facilitating the meetings in Abuja, Nigeria, the One belt -One Road fund management Limited will function with the Federal government of Nigeria to provide Nigerians with affordable housing and will also throw its weight on ensuring sustainable power distribution, industrialisation and banking in the country.

Rujun said this during the group’s courtesy visit to the Federal Mortgage bank, where it was noted that the Nigerian government intends to build about 30 million houses in each state of the Federation, totalling 1.080.000 units of housing across the nation.

He also pointed out that they are in the country, “to act on the MOU both governments agreed on. We want to move into action immediately and will focus more on housing, having noticed housing deficit of 17 million. Nigeria will be shocked with the kind of structure the group will introduce in the country and we promise you quality, speed and low cost housing and in addition, we promise to have all building material production from Nigeria.”

Also, the bank’s Acting Director General, Mr. Richard Esin, who affirmed that the Federal government has indeed plans to build low-cost housing across the nation, said that Nigeria is willing and ready to partner with the One-Belt-One Road Initiative group to fulfil the government’s mandate to the people of Nigeria. He also commended the group for the interest to partner and form a joint venture with banks in the country.

The group also indicated interest in agriculture and the building of Guangzhou sister-city in Markurdi, Benue State, at a meeting with Benue State governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, and the Minister for agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, respectively.