China, Kogi govt to partner on Nuclear Energy, others

China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Qui Jian Chun, has said his country was passionate about exploring a viable partnership, with interest in Nuclear Energy in Nigeria, specifically Kogi State.

Chun noted that his key interest as the Ambassador was to facilitate China’s investment and also utilise the country’s technology for the benefit of Nigeria and certain states like Kogi, saying Nuclear Energy would further attract investment to the state, improve its infrastructure, tax revenue, job creation, and attract vast social economic developments.

The Ambassador said this during his visit to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday.

Chun, who was accompanied to the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja by a delegation from the China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC), said he was hopeful that the meeting would birth a historical moment, where the CNNC would be able to establish one of its two Proposed Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in the state.

He stated that China was a leading reference in areas of modern infrastructures amongst the international community, adding that although both countries had an existing relationship with so many achievements, states like Kogi could benefit from China’s vested interest in modern infrastructure, Information Communication Technology (ICT), industry, investments, and import/exports opportunities.

He noted that he was hopeful that China which was the world’s largest consumption market would in the nearest future have a policy where Nigeria, particularly states like Kogi, could export more products into the Chinese market.

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The Ambassador further pledged to establish a department of Nuclear Energy at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara in Kogi State, and other institutions as part of plans to nurture local breed in the field.

He, however, urged the Kogi State Government to encourage and facilitate some of its young Engineering talents for exchange programmes in the country.

On his part, Governor Bello, who thanked the Chinese Ambassador for finding Kogi State worthy of such recommendation, said the meeting was between two sincere governments who were both interested in the advancement of the people.

He said after their presentation, his government was so enthusiastic to internalise their plans and was willing to foster the relationship with the Chinese government by engaging in every discussion in the interest of the people of Kogi State.

The governor further assured Chun and the CNNC team that their relationship with the state would be different from any other, adding that the state government would be glad to have a stronger tie with China.

Bello urged the Chinese government not to relent in sharing its wealth of experience with Nigeria in areas where the country was currently facing temporary difficulties.

The Star