Chinese Govt, Ekiti partner for Knowledge Zone Project, others
The Chinese Government is to partner Ekiti State in the development of Ekiti Knowledge Zone project and in the utilisation of nuclear science and technology in Ekiti.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun, said this on Wednesday when he led some experts from the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on a courtesy visit to Gov. Kayode Fayemi in Ado- Ekiti.
Supreme reports that Jianchun was also accompanied on the visit by the Director-General (DG), Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Prof. Yusuf Ahmed.
The delegation was in the state for a three-day feasibility study of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone and on how to apply nuclear technology in the development of agriculture, health, biotechnology, education and other critical sectors.
Jianchun explained that Ekiti State's partnership with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is a technological collaboration that would promote the application of nuclear energy to serve the people of the state.
The ambassador expressed optimism that the partnership between the state and China in the development of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project would attract more support from Chinese community in Nigeria and other places.
He commended Gov. Fayemi for providing the foresight and initiative in the development of the knowledge zone and assured him that the CNNC would provide the technological expertise in developing the area.
Fayemi, in his remarks, explained that his administration was passionate about knowledge generation, knowledge development and knowledge transmission as well as wealth creation for the benefits of the people of the state.
Fayemi also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum added that the state also holds in high esteem its partnership with China regarding the knowledge zone and other critical sectors of the state economy.
According to him, Chinese companies have been very active in the execution of major infrastructural projects in the state.
The governor expressed the readiness of the state to explore nuclear energy in the development of agriculture, education, health, biotechnology and a whole range of other sectors to the advantage of the entire people of the state.
"We are very passionate with our link with China.
L-R Mr Cui Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, the Director General, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Prof. Yusuf Ahmed and Gov Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti during a feasibility study visit to Ekiti by Jianchun on Wednesday.
"Chinese companies have been very active in our state. We have a number of our projects, including current projects that are being worked on by such Chinese company: the CCECC, and to that extent you will see some of the projects when you go round.
"We are committed to this, we are passionate about it and I am sure that when we get into full discussion in the next two days, we are going to explore the entire gamut of these efforts that we believe can be of huge advantage to us.
"We are ready to go, we are very pleased that you are here and we know that this is the beginning of a segment of the continued partnership that we had with yourself and with our own team, NAEC from Abuja," he said.
The Director-General (DG) of NAEC, Prof. Yusuf Ahmed, in his contribution said that China had about 60 per cent stake in the entire funding of the project.
He added that his team had secured major requirements needed for the take-off of the execution of the project.
