With a high-powered state visit to China led by Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, about to come to a close, Chinese and Nigerian government officials have finalized several loan and Memoranda of Understanding agreements valued at over USD1.1billion with various Chinese institutions and contractors. Among them is the Chinese construction conglomerate, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), who have now been tasked with the construction of four new international airport terminals to be completed within 20 months. |
| Unconfirmed rendering for proposed new Lagos MMA International Terminal (on the left) |
During a visit to the CCECC's headquarters in downtown Beijing, Nigerian Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, said she is "eagerly" looking forward to the completion of the projects in the next 18-20 months, adding that once online, the airports will boost Nigeria’s position as a natural hub for commercial aviation business on the African continent.
Also on the courtesy visit was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Sector Reforms, Ms Anne Ene-Ita, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Ahmed Rufai Chanchangi, Representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Mr Clement Dosunmo, the director general of NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom and the managing director of NAMA, Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, among others.
The construction of the four new International terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano will be financed via a USD500million low-interest loan.
China, which is increasingly looking to Africa for oil and other natural resources, is also offering Nigeria loans to help fund roads, a light-rail line for its capital, Abuja, a hydroelectric power plant and oil and gas infrastructure.
