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Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has appealed to the Chinese government to assist Nigeria to get out of its current economic recession.
He also appealed to the Chinese government to transfer its technology to Africa just as he sought the assistance of China in the area of direct foreign investment, saying such were needed to take the continent to the next level of development.
Ekweremadu, however, warned Chinese nationals against illegal mining in the solid minerals sector in Africa, asking those already neck-deep in the activities to desist forthwith.
The Senator who spoke in Abuja when he played host to a delegation of the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association, CAPFA, led by its President and former Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Abulaiti Abudurexiti, said China could play significant friendly roles in getting Nigeria out of its current economic woes, having also passed through difficult times in their match to economic prosperity.
He said: “We will like to seek China’s support to Nigeria’s economy particularly and the rest of Africa, especially now that we have found ourselves in recession. We expect that China will support our initiatives aimed at getting out of the recession as quickly as possible. We also expect to see the transfer of technology from China to Africa and we expect more of direct investment in Africa”.
He lauded the economic policies of China on Africa, saying it had significantly helped to improve air, rail and road transport systems on the continent and appealed to Chinese authorities not to rest on their oars.
Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, also commended the government of China for supporting Africa’s development through soft loans, but asking that more should be done for Africa to overcome its economic challenges.
“We are also aware that China has extended loan facilities to Africa broad-based in very soft terms; we are very grateful for all these. But we believe that you can do more for Africa, especially now that we are experiencing economy downturn in Africa. A friend in need, they say is a friend indeed,” he added.
While noting that Nigeria’s relationship with China had improved greatly, he said the development had led to increase in marriages between citizens of both countries.
Speaking on the alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal mining of solid minerals in Africa, he appealed to the leader of the delegation and government of China in general to intervene with a view to curbing the development.
His words: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to you and indeed the people of China to help check the problem of illegal mining in Africa. As a parliament, we have received a number of complaints against some Chinese nationals involved in the illegal mining in the solid mineral sector”.
But he said the Nigerian business environment was conducive for those interested in undertaking genuine and legal business activities.
“The Nigerian business environment is very impressive. I believe that a formal relationship between these miners and the people who have investments in the solid minerals and the Government of Nigeria will help address this, warning that the country would not welcome anything outside this. While we welcome Chinese involvement in our solid minerals sector, we will not accept any kind of illegal mining in Nigeria. We will like to ensure that our laws are respected and we enjoin Nigerians who live in China or doing business with China to also respect Chinese laws as well”, he stressed.
Ekweremadu also appealed to Abudurexiti to intervene in the problem arising from acquisition of Chinese visas by Nigerians, especially businessmen.
He further called for closer parliamentrary relationship between China and Nigeria, saying such would help in no small measure in sharing legislative experiences.
Earlier, in his mission address, Abudurexiti said China was interested in building stronger ties with Nigeria.
Describing Nigeria as a key nation in Africa, he noted that CAPFA was also committed to expanding and promoting mutually beneficial relationship between Nigerian and Chinese businesses and citizens.
