China’s Ambassador to Nigeria Qui Jian Chun has said his country is passionate about exploring viable areas of partnership, especially in Nuclear Energy, in Nigeria, and more specifically Kogi State.
Chun noted that his key interest as the Ambassador was to facilitate China’s investment and also utilise China’s technology for the benefit of Nigeria and certain states like Kogi. He noted that Nuclear Energy would further attract investment to the state, improve its infrastructure, tax revenue, job creation and attract vast social economic developments.
The Ambassador yesterday led a delegation of the China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) to the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja. He hoped the meeting will birth a historical moment where the CNNC would be able to establish one of the two proposed Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in the state.
Chun promised top to establish a Department of Nuclear Energy at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and other institutions, as part of plans to nurture local breed in the field. He added that the Kogi State government should similarly encourage and facilitate some of its young engineering talents for exchange programmes in the country.
Governor Yahaya Bello, who thanked the Chinese Ambassador for finding Kogi worthy of such recommendations, said the meeting was between two sincere governments who are both interested in the advancement of the people.
He said the government will internalise the plans to foster the relationship with the Chinese government by engaging in every discussion in the interest of the people.
Bello assured Chun and the CNNC team that their relationship with the state will be different from any other, saying the state will be glad to have a stronger tie with China.