China boosts Nigeria’s flood relief efforts with $1m

•Bagudu hails growing trade between countries

By Abubakar Yunusa

The federal government’s efforts to bring succour to flood victims in the northern parts of the country received a boost on Wednesday as the Chinese government donated $1 million to the relief drive.

Signing the exchange notes on the financial support with the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Yu Dunhai, in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning , Senator Abubakar Bagudu, expressed appreciation for the humanitarian gesture of the Chinese government, noting that it signified the growing cooperation between the two nations in areas such as trade, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and now, disaster relief.

“We firmly believe that today’s signing ceremony will open new avenues for collaboration, strengthening our strategic partnership for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.

The minister welcomed the intervention as a timely boost to the national relief efforts, emphasising that it would complement the government’s ongoing efforts to provide relief materials and rebuild the livelihoods of people in severely impacted areas.

He assured that the grant would be managed within a transparent framework designed to maximise its impact.

“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,” Bagudu stated, adding, “The government fully welcomes the joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism agreed with the Embassy of China.”

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Dunhai expressed China’s empathy and solidarity with Nigeria, recalling that both countries recently faced the destructive impact of flooding.

“We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and also convey our support,” he said.

He recalled that China suffered flooding around the same time as Nigeria, noting that several lives were lost in Beijing’s suburbs in July.

“In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria always stand together,” the ambassador stated.

He emphasised that the grant demonstrates China’s confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to recover and rebuild.

“We are very confident that, under the strong leadership of the Federal Government and with the dedication and effort of all the people, Nigeria will overcome this hardship and rebuild its homes in the near future,” Dunhai said.

Looking beyond humanitarian aid, he noted that the broader relationship between the two countries keeps strengthening.

He said, “As an ambassador, I am pleased that our comprehensive strategic partnership is progressing rapidly. 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 Chinese aid is especially timely as it focuses on communities in the states most affected by recent flooding, including Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba, and Adamawa. The intervention will significantly enhance the government’s ongoing efforts to deliver relief materials and restore livelihoods in areas severely affected.