By Abdallah el-Kurebe
Governor Aminu Tambuwal has reiterated his administration’s determination to make Sokoto an economic and industrial hub as well as a preferred investment destination in the country.
He stated this when the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Sokoto.
“We are working round the clock to engage new development partners and attract more direct investments into our state. This visit offers both our governments an ample opportunity to build stronger ties and establish a more beneficial working relationship.
“Our policy thrust is to open our doors to willing investors. We are keen on sharing ideas and partnering the Chinese Embassy on ways to boost trade, agriculture, energy, rural development and improve economic relations between and among our peoples,” Tambuwal said.
The Governor said that Sokoto is endowed with natural and human resources that offer abundant investment opportunities for all willing investors, adding that the state has five viable sources of energy which include hydro, wind, solar, gas and coal.
While thanking the envoy for supporting the state government with instructional materials after it declared a state of emergency on education sector in the state, Tambuwal said government is working assiduously to implement past MoUs entered into with Chinese entities.
Responding, the Ambassador said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria and China had a long diplomatic history, stressing the need to build on such history for the mutual benefit both countries.
He noted that China was eager to make greater investments in Sokoto, given the huge potential that abounds in the state.
He commended Governor Tambuwal for creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and assured that they were ready to provide a facilitation and assistance to help the state to cooperate with the Chinese partners.
