Nigeria seeks to deepen collaboration with China to develop the mining sector.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite revealed this when Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Cui Jianchun paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The minister who noted that Nigeria has always enjoyed good relationship with China, stressed that investment by China in mining would immensely be beneficial to both countries.
Minister of State Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah while reiterating the need for committed Chinese investors in the mining sector, requested that a mineral desk be opened at the Chinese Embassy for easy tackling of issues emanating from Chinese operators in the Nigerian mining sector.
According to the minister, Chinese are the highest investors in the country. However, most of them are illegal miners, as many of them have been caught engaging in illegal mining activities.
He therefore, called for synergy in the area of combating illegal mining in Nigeria as well as solicited for support in addressing this challenge to boost bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the People’s Republic of China, Mr Cui Jianchun, said he has been in Nigeria for 100 days and there is need to leverage on the good relations between China and Nigeria in the last 50 years, and to deepen the partnerships as there are huge potentials for Chinese investors and government of Nigeria.
He stated China’s willingness to work with Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.
