The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, in this interview with BOLA OLAJUWON, disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan’s five days official visit to China underscored the subsisting cordial relationship between Nigeria and Beijing. He also spoke, among others, on the benefits of the trip to Nigeria as well as on the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the two nations.
What is your overview of President Goodluck Jonathan’s five days official visit to China?

The state visit of President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, to China was a resounding success. The visit underscored the subsisting cordial relationship between Nigeria and China; and ushered Nigeria-China relations to the next level in the 43rd year of diplomatic engagement.

Furthermore, the visit would boost bilateral trade and economic relations between China, the world’s second largest economy, and Nigeria.

As the second biggest economy in Africa, the visit will afford Nigeria the opportunity of increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China.

I must also mention that in diplomatic terms, the visit has deepened mutual trust between the two countries. Nigeria incontestably occupies a strategic role in China’s cooperation and engagement with African nations.

In the economic sphere, the President’s Transformation Agenda with its strong emphasis on infrastructural development (roads, power, railways, etc) makes relationship with China very crucial and imperative. China has the technical and financial wherewithal, especially in the operationalisation of public-private partnership initiative, to help Nigeria realize Vision 20:2020.

In addition, the large turnout of Nigeria’s private sector has engendered confidence and opened up new vistas of business partnerships and investment consideration from the Chinese private sector.

In what ways has the trip benefitted Nigeria and China?

As I mentioned earlier, the trip has boosted Nigeria-China’s relations in its 43rd year of existence. It has also acted as a catalyst for improved trade and economic relations between our two countries.

Nigeria is a resource-rich nation with about 70 percent of its population under the age of 40. This means that the actualisation of investment deals with China will facilitate job opportunities and wealth creation as envisaged by the Transformation Agenda of the president.

In the course of the trip, President Jonathan secured value-adding, transformative investments for Nigeria worth over 25 billion U.S. dollars. The President and his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Xi Jinping signed five bilateral agreements including the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation in support of Nigeria’s Economic Development; the Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project; Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation; Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports; and Agreement for the Prevention of Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

In addition, the First Bank of Nigeria secured a Facility Agreement of $100 million from the China Development Bank (CDB). The facility is expected to boost current efforts to reinvigorate small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, especially in the key result areas (KRAs) of credit line provisions, trade syndication and foreign exchange transactions. This is central to job and wealth creation in Nigeria, given the increasing spectre of youth unemployment.

Another private sector operator in Nigeria, LADOL Integrated Logistics Free Zone Enterprises also signed a MoU with China Offshore Oil and Engineering Company for the construction of dry dock facilities in Lagos and Bayelsa states.

I must also inform that agreements were signed with Chinese companies for the extension of Keffi-Lafia dual carriageway, and the completion of the East-West project extension from Oron to Calabar. The arrangement was in line with the public - private partnership initiative of the current administration. The expansion and modernisation of the access road to Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, as well as access road to Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the deep-sea port that will cross the Lagos Lagoon to Ikorodu were also considered.

In the power sector, a $20 billion MoU was signed with Power China by the Ministry of Power to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity for Nigeria. The Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Isa Yuguda, also signed a MoU with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) for the provision of 120 megawatts of electricity during the visit. Discussions are still on-going in respect of coal-to-power technology with Pacific Energy of China for the generation of 5,000 megawatts of power in Nigeria.

In definitive, quantitative and qualitative terms therefore, the President’s visit to China remains, in my view, the best so far in terms of Nigeria’s felt needs and the beneficial outcomes.

How would the sectoral groups, especially the manufacturers fair under the MOUs signed with the Chinese Government?

Of course, the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, which was well represented during the Presidential visit would fair better as a direct outcome of the visit. The manufacturers need constant power supply, which was accorded prominence in the agreements with China. They need finance in terms of credit lines and advisory services. The facility domiciled in First Bank will be extremely helpful in this regard, aside from others by Chinese EXIM Bank.

International partnerships, especially technical support, has been opened up for Nigerian manufacturers by the Investment/Business Forum. Over 300 Chinese investors and companies participated in the forum. The Nigerian Missions in Beijing and the new Consulate in Guangzhou are ready to assist in the facilitation of more partnerships.

I am confident that the full implementation of these agreements will assist the country to realise the objectives of transformation as espoused by the president.

More importantly, the emphasis on infrastructure is very crucial to the rebound of the manufacturing sector. The special attention to road development, expansion and modernisation; rail services; airport terminal modernization; construction of dry ports and dockyards will greatly enhance manufacturing activities with the attendant multiple effects on employment and wealth creation through SMEs.

How would you react to concerns raised over the trade pact with China?

The Federal Government has acted in the best interest of the Nigerian nation. I only need to recall that the President informed the Nigerian community in China during his meeting with them that the Local Content Act is being examined by the National Assembly to cover areas such as civil engineering and other sectors. This is to safeguard local industries, as well as generate benefits that will enhance the prosperity of the average Nigerian citizen.

I need not remind that Nigeria has appropriate legislations and institutions in place to ensure that her strategic national interests are guaranteed and protected at all times.

Institutions such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Customs Service and the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have vital roles to play in this regard, and I am confident that they are up to their responsibilities in ensuring that Nigeria’s national interests are fully protected.
How soon is the Chinese side coming to Nigeria?

We are working on that through diplomatic channels. http://www.theguardianmobile.com/readNewsItem1.php?nid=15522