The Federal Government is strengthening its partnership with China to deepen investment in infrastructure development, technology transfer, and youth capacity building, officials have confirmed.
Key areas of collaboration include the provision of specialised road maintenance equipment to enhance the efficiency of the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the creation of structured training programmes to equip Nigerian youths with technical and mechanical skills in equipment operation and maintenance.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, stated that such partnerships would reinforce Nigeria’s infrastructure base while advancing youth empowerment, job creation, and skills acquisition in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative follows the Minister’s week-long strategic visit to China, aimed at attracting greater participation of Chinese engineering and construction firms in Nigeria’s road infrastructure renewal through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), equipment support, and human capital development.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister, Goronyo led a delegation from the Ministry and FERMA to major Chinese firms, including China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), XCMG, and China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC). The companies reportedly expressed readiness to expand their investment footprint in Nigeria’s infrastructure and skills development sectors.
At CHEC, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), discussions centred on scaling up investments in Nigeria’s PPP-driven highway projects. The Minister urged the company to deepen engagement through the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) to fast-track the delivery of durable road infrastructure nationwide.
