…Plans underway to make Kogi, northern industrial hub
To boost infrastructural development in Kogi State, the Kogi State Government and the Chinese Construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) have concluded plans to partner in business relationships in the areas of planning, financing and execution of transport infrastructure.
At a meeting held at the headquarters of CCECC in Abuja on Thursday, Abdulkareem Siyaka, the Executive Officer of the Kogi State Investment Promotion and Public Private Partnership Agency, who led the government’s delegation noted that the first line of business, up scaling and partnership is the construction of Inland Transit Port in Lokoja to link Warri – Burutu/Port Harcourt via Onitsha.
He pointed out that the aim is to rapidly develop the movement of agricultural produce and solid mineral cargo to and from Northern and Southern Nigeria.
According to him the partnership is in line with the Kogi State’s medium-term economic development goals which within a 5-year time frame would rapidly develop its infrastructure outlay, since transport infrastructure is the bedrock of economic development.
While addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Abdulkareem stated that the upgrade of Adogo Airstrip to a commercial Cargo Airport to facilitate growth in cross-border trade and investment, and boost real sector productivity were among the issues discussed.
According to him, 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.”
Abdulkareem, while speaking about the business models, noted 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 that 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.
Guo Wenjun, the Deputy Managing Director of CCECC 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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