China has donated one million dollars to Nigeria in support of people affected by the recent devastating floods across the country.
The support was provided at a ceremony for the signing of exchange of notes with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to formalise the cash assistance grant in Abuja on Wednesday.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai expressed China’s solidarity with Nigeria “during this difficult time”, noting that both countries have recently faced natural disasters.
He said, “We would like to express our deep condolences for the people who lost their lives and also express our support. Actually, almost at the same time, China is also suffering from floods. Even in Beijing’s suburbs, over 40 percent of lives were lost in July. In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria always stand together.’’
He stressed that the assistance testifies to China’s confidence in Nigeria’s resilience, saying: “We are very confident that under the strong leadership of the Federal Government, and with the quality and efforts of all the people, Nigeria will overcome this difficulty and rebuild their homes in the near future.”
Mr Yu further highlighted the broader direction of China-Nigeria relations, describing the ties as grounded in mutual respect and equality.
He acknowledged the robust progress recorded between the two countries in the areas of trade; investment, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people exchange.
He said, “As ambassador, I am happy that our comprehensive strategic partnership has been developing on a fast track. Just two months ago, President Xi Jinping announced zero-tariff treatment on 400 per cent of tariff lines for African countries with diplomatic ties to China, including Nigeria. This will boost Nigeria’s exports to China, create more jobs, and support economic development.’’
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, stated that the assistance was particularly timely and it was targeted at communities in states most affected by recent devastating floods.
He said that the intervention would go a long way towards complementing the government’s ongoing efforts at providing relief materials and rebuilding the livelihoods of people in severely impacted areas.
“I wish to emphasise that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), will coordinate the effective implementation of this project. A transparent framework, leveraging past experiences and unified templates will guide the process to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries in the most efficient and impactful manner.
“Furthermore, the government fully welcomes the joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism agreed with the Embassy of China. This will ensure transparency and accountability, promote learning, and strengthen our partnership in humanitarian and development cooperation,” Mr Bagudu said.
The minister said the humanitarian support was not only a demonstration of China’s goodwill, but also a testimony of the growing cooperation between our two nations in areas such as trade, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and now, disaster relief.
He stated, “It is our firm belief that today’s signing ceremony will open new windows of collaboration that will deepen our strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of our people. I assure you that the government remains committed to working closely with the embassy of China to guarantee the successful implementation of this project. We look forward to further consolidating our friendship through initiatives that promote prosperity, resilience, and sustainable development. On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I wish to convey our profound appreciation to the Government of China for this act of friendship and solidarity. This gesture is a reflection of the long-standing bilateral relations between our two dear countries, built on mutual respect, cooperation, and a shared vision for sustainable development.’’
(NAN)
