Kogi, China partner for transport infrastructure development

The Kogi State Government in partnership with Chinese Construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are finalising arrangements to scale up business relationships in the areas of planning, financing and execution of transport infrastructure in the State.

During a meeting at the headquarters of the CCECC along Airport Road, Abuja, the Executive Officer of the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership Agency, Abdulkareem Siyaka who led the government’s delegation disclosed that the first line of business upscaling and partnership is the construction of Inland Transit Port in Lokoja to link Warri – Burutu/Port Harcourt via Onitsha.

According to him, this will rapidly develop the movement of agricultural produce and solid mineral cargo to and from northern and southern Nigeria.

He said the partnership was in line with the Kogi State’s medium-term economic development goals which within a 5-year time frame will want to rapidly develop her infrastructure outlay, citing transport infrastructure as the bedrock of economic development.

Addressing journalists at the end of their meeting, Abdulkareem said the upgrade of Adogo Airstrip to a commercial Cargo Airport to facilitate growth in cross-border trade and investment and boost real sector productivity was discussed.

Another infrastructure to be executed under the partnership is the construction of Electrified Rail Project between Jeba and Lokoja

He said this will reduce haulage costs within Nigeria by freeing excess pressure on road transport infrastructure.

Speaking on the business models, Abdulkareem stated that Kogi State is in the process of building its economy from a conservative civil service state to an Industrial giant in northern Nigeria.

He said the ‘Build -Operate-Transfer’ model or similar model that will be economical for both parties would be ideal while involving the Federal Government to provide sovereign guarantees including counterpart funding in any or all the projects.

The Deputy Managing Director of CCECC, Guo Wenjun commended the state government for its vision while expressing readiness for the relationship.

He noted that the Kogi State Government has been a friendly business partner of CCECC over the years with mutual understanding and benefits.

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