President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, said no nation would witness sustainable development without infrastructural development.
He therefore thanked the People’ s Republic of China for its support towards the development of infrastructure in Nigeria .
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , in a statement quoted the President as speaking while receiving the State Councillor and Foreign Minister, People’ s Republic of China, Mr Wang Yi , at the Presidential Villa, Abuja .
The statement was titled “ No sustainable development possible without adequate infrastructure, says President Buhari as he meets China’ s state councillor. ”
“ 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, ” Adesina quoted the President as saying .
He said Buhari pledged that Nigeria would continue to honour its obligations in the relationship with China, “ as you are making a big difference, which we appreciate very much . ”
The presidential spokesman also quoted Yi as applauding what he called the “ mutual trust and sound personal friendship” between President Buhari and President Xi Jinping of China, noting that “ it has guided the bilateral relationship between our 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.
“ The State Councillor 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. ’
“ Mr Yi said his country would encourage Chinese companies to increase their investments in Nigeria , while China would also readily share experience and techniques in areas like digital economy, defence, and many others , ” the statement added .
