GOV UDOM EMMANUEL SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA

Ndifreke P. Akpan

Governor Udom Emmanuel has urged the Chinese authorities to explore the favourable investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State and collaborate with the state for mutual benefits, explaining that the investment potentials in the state were fantastic.

Governor Emmanuel was speaking when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian led a delegation of Chinese diplomats in his country’s embassy on a courtesy call on him at Government House in Uyo.

The Governor maintained that Akwa Ibom is blessed with a favourable climate, and encouraged his guests to consider partnership in order to optimally utilize the natural economic potentials for the good of the two countries.

Governor Emmanuel said the state was developing a deep seaport with a natural draught of 17.3 metres which no dredging is needed and enjoined the diplomats to interface with Chinese merchants on the need to invest in that direction.

He said if the Chinese are able to set up a modern port facility in Akwa Ibom, they will have five times the return they were making elsewhere and that it could take 48 hours to clear goods instead of the 3 months being experienced in other places.

The Governor said such facility to be established in Akwa Ibom could actually fast track the growth of the economy, not only in Akwa Ibom or Nigeria but the entire Gulf of Guinea pointing out that the state has the longest shore line of 129km in the whole of Nigeria.

“The location of Akwa Ibom State today can serve as a transhipment in the entire Gulf of Guinea. So, for your investment in Chad, Gabon and in all these other areas, we can actually serve as that hub” Governor Emmanuel explained.

The Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive said a whole lot of Airlines operating in China can as well have a hub in Akwa Ibom where they can operate domestic and regional flights to West Africa and other parts of the continent.

“So, I will also like us to see how we can partner in terms of logistics. A whole lot of airlines in China that carry people, can actually also fly into Uyo, Akwa Ibom and can operate the domestic flights from here. That could actually happen. I don’t see why you cannot have a hub here where you can actually operate a regional flight into the rest of Africa or West Africa”.

Governor Emmanuel reassured the visitors that the population of 170 million people, Local markets and domestic markets can actually launch the economy of Nigeria back on track.

In the area of agriculture, he said improved stems of cassava, bamboo and other crops could be planted in the state without fertilizer but still produce good harvest and encouraged his guests to consider partnership in order to optimally utilize bamboo and other economic trees for the good of the state.

According to the Governor, bamboo has over 1,000 uses and China alone has put it to more than 300 uses everywhere.

Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian said both countries enjoy cordial relationship since they started diplomatic ties in 1971.

He stated that the visit was to enable them take the opportunity to explore further ways for China to strengthen its cooperation not only in infrastructure development but also in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

The Ambassador noted the huge potentials for his country to tap into and stated China’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the state.

According to him, “this year is going to be a big year for China-Africa Cooperation. In September, the foreign and China-Africa Cooperation will be held in Beijing and we believe this will give new opportunities for us to grow China and Nigeria relations”.

The Beijing Summit, the Ambassador explained, is to activate the cordial relationship and strategic partnership between China and Nigeria.

He said plans were on for the first ever China International import-export event in November this year and called on the Nigerian Government and those in business to take advantage and promote Nigerian made goods.

In Dr Pingjian’s words, “We believe that as the largest economy in Asia and Africa, China and Nigeria share a lot in common and with the two progressing together, we can bring a lot of benefits to ourselves and the world”.