By Angela Atabo
The Federal Government has strengthened collaboration with China in infrastructure development, technology transfer, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and youth capacity building.
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The Minister of State for Works,
Bello Goronyo,made this known in a statement signed by Mr Abdullahi Mohammed
S A,(Media) to the Minister of state for works.
The statement said Goronyo concluded a one-week technical visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he led a joint delegation from the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Goronyo explained that the visit, conducted under the existing Technical Cooperation Agreement between FERMA and the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center, focused on the key pillars of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This focused on strengthening collaboration in infrastructure development, technology transfer, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and youth capacity building.”
He said the visit also helped in strengthening diplomatic and institutional synergy.
The Minister’s who paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, where he was received by the Head of Chancery, Amb. Jimmy Patrick, highlighted the importance of synergy between the Ministry and Nigerian missions abroad.
Goronyo also visited Global Headquarters of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), to deepen partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
He Minister received by the Vice President, Mr. Edward Xu, commended CHEC for its pivotal role in Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape, particularly its execution of the Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Highway .
He called for deeper collaboration through the PPP framework to fast-track the delivery of durable road infrastructure across Nigeria in alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister also encouraged CHEC to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by investing in youth technical training in road construction and maintenance to promote employment and self-reliance.
The delegation also examined CHEC’s operational model as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) to draw insights for enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure management systems.
In Xuzhou, the Minister and the Managing Director of FERMA,Mr Emeka Agbasi, led the delegation in strategic discussions with XCMG a global leader in heavy-duty construction and maintenance equipment.
He commended XCMG for its continued investment in Nigeria, particularly through its Lagos office, and for its willingness to support the country’s infrastructure renewal drive.
Discussions centered on enhancing FERMA’s capacity to maintain Nigeria’s 36,000-kilometre federal road network through modern equipment support and youth technical training.
Goronyo identified two key areas of collaboration which included equipment support and partnership with XCMG to provide specialised machinery to enhance FERMA’s operational efficiency.
He said the second area of collaboration was under youth empowerment and called for the establishment of structured training programmes to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in equipment operation, maintenance, and related technical services.
He said that such partnerships would boost commerce, connectivity, and job creation , further advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Goronyo also engaged with China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) on Infrastructure and Human Capital Development through collaboration, PPP models, and human capacity development for Nigerian engineers and construction professionals.
He further urged CGGC to strengthen its CSR initiatives by introducing scholarships for technical training in China for young Nigerian engineers and local trainings.
The Managing Director of FERMA,ChukwuEmeka Agbasi, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to leveraging PPP models such as Manage, Operate and Transfer (MOT) for road development.
Agbasi also emphasised the need for continuous staff training to strengthen operational capacity.
In response, Mr. Zhang pledged to dispatch a high-level CGGC delegation to Abuja for follow-up engagements and to develop a joint working document outlining specific areas of cooperation.(NAN)
