Goronyo Concludes Strategic Visit to China ..... Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation on Infrastructure, PPP, and Youth Capacity Building

 

"Through strategic engagements with global engineering and equipment giants such as CHEC, XCMG, and CGGC, Bar. Bello Muhammad Goronyo is translating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda into concrete international partnerships — driving economic growth, knowledge transfer, and sustainable infrastructure development for a stronger, more connected Nigeria."

Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Muhammad Goronyo, recently concluded a one-week technical visit to the People’s Republic of China, with a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

The visit, according to a statement from Abdullahi A. Mohammed, Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of State Works, conducted under the existing Technical Cooperation Agreement between FERMA and the Global Cooperation Promotion Research Center, focused on strengthening collaboration in infrastructure development, technology transfer, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and youth capacity building; key pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Key points of the visit are: 

Strengthening Diplomatic and Institutional Synergy

The Minister’s first engagement was a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing, where he was warmly received by the Head of Chancery, Amb. Jimmy Ebi Patrick.

During the visit, Goronyo described the Embassy as “a home away from home,” emphasizing that it remains his first point of call on any foreign mission. He highlighted the importance of synergy between the Ministry and Nigerian missions abroad in fostering effective bilateral cooperation and promoting Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda.

Deepening Partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)

At the Global Headquarters of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the Minister of State Works was received by the Vice President, Mr. Edward Xu.He commended CHEC for its pivotal role in Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape, particularly its execution of the Keffi–Akwanga–Makurdi Highway; a landmark Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

Goronyo called for deeper collaboration through the PPP framework to fast-track the delivery of durable road infrastructure across Nigeria, in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The Minister also encouraged CHEC to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by investing in youth technical training in road construction and maintenance to promote employment and self-reliance.

The delegation also examined CHEC’s operational model as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) to draw insights for enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure management systems.

Advancing Equipment and Skills Collaboration with XCMG

In Xuzhou, the Honourable Minister and the Managing Director of FERMA, Engr. Emeka Agbasi, led the delegation in strategic discussions with XCMG; a global leader in heavy-duty construction and maintenance equipment. He commended XCMG for its continued investment in Nigeria, particularly through its Lagos office, and for its willingness to support the country’s infrastructure renewal drive. Discussions centered on enhancing FERMA’s capacity to maintain Nigeria’s 36,000-kilometre federal road network through modern equipment support and youth technical training.

The Honourable Minister identified two key areas of collaboration:

1. Equipment Support: Partnership with XCMG to provide specialized machinery to enhance FERMA’s operational efficiency.

2. Youth Empowerment: Establishment of structured training programmes to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in equipment operation, maintenance, and related technical services.

He emphasized that such partnerships will boost commerce, connectivity, and job creation — further advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Engaging China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) on Infrastructure and Human Capital Development

The delegation also held high-level discussions with the President of China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Ltd (CGGC), Mr. Zhang Jun, at the company’s headquarters in Beijing. Talks focused on infrastructure collaboration, PPP models, and human capacity development for Nigerian engineers and construction professionals.

Mr. Zhang showcased CGGC’s global expertise, including landmark projects such as the Three Gorges Dam in China and major Nigerian projects like the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Railway and the Mambilla Hydropower Project.

Goronyo commended CGGC’s contributions to Nigeria’s development and called for an expansion of its partnership with the Ministry and FERMA through new PPP-driven road infrastructure projects. He further urged CGGC to strengthen its CSR initiatives by introducing:

Scholarships for technical training in China for young Nigerian engineers.

Local Training Centres to build capacity in road construction, maintenance, and materials technology.

The Managing Director of FERMA, Engr. ChukwuEmeka Agbasi, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to leveraging PPP models such as Manage, Operate and Transfer (MOT) and HDMI for road development while emphasizing the need for continuous staff training to strengthen operational capacity.

In response, Mr. Zhang pledged to dispatch a high-level CGGC delegation to Abuja for follow-up engagements and to develop a joint working document outlining specific areas of cooperation.

Renewed Hope in Motion: 

A Milestone for Nigeria-China Infrastructure Cooperation

The China Technical Visit marks a major milestone in the Federal Ministry of Works’ drive to modernize Nigeria’s road infrastructure, promote youth employment through technology-driven skill acquisition, and reinforce Nigeria-China bilateral relations.

Through strategic engagements with global engineering and equipment giants such as CHEC, XCMG, and CGGC, Bar. Bello Muhammad Goronyo is translating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda into concrete international partnerships — driving economic growth, knowledge transfer, and sustainable infrastructure development for a stronger, more connected Nigeria.