Buhari's Trip To China: Igbo Group Lament Absence Of Chinese Investment In South East

An Igbo group, Coalition For Igbo Awareness (ICA) have frowned at the absence of Chinese investment in the South East that is expected to come into the country after President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to China.

Reacting to reports that the President’s visit to China will yield billions of dollars in investment for Nigeria, the ICA said it is regrettable that none of the investments will be located in any part of South Eastern Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the group’s president, Rev Emmanuel Duru, the coalition said the absence of such investments  will only succeed in reinforcing firmly held belief in Igboland that Igbos are politically punished by the APC led Federal Government for not voting for the APC and Buhari during the 2015 presidential election.

Part of the statement reads:

“We took a look at the press statement issued and signed by Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity where he said that Buhari’s visit to China will yield billions of dollars in investment for Nigeria. 

According to him, some of the Chinese investment that will have huge impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including Power, Solid Minerals, Agriculture, Housing and Rail transportation as a result of President Buhari’s visit to China will not benefit the South East

“The President’s SSA on Media and Publicity listed the following investments and their locations.  We took note that the

.North South Power Company limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478, 657, 941, 28 for the construction of 300 megawatts solar power in Shiroro, Niger State   

 .$1 billion to be invested in the development of a Greenfield expressway for Abuja- Ibadan- Lagos under an agreement reached by infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation limited.

.$2.5 billion agreement for the development of the Lagos metro rail transit red line project.

.$ I billion for the enlightenment of a Hi Tech Industrial Park free trade zone in Igbesa, Ogun State

. $ 363 million for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream park in Kogi State

The ICA said it is regrettable that none of the projects were sighted in Igboland.

The group said” We are surprised that these projects did not go round the country and more importantly, the manner the south east was denied from benefiting from these Chinese investments.

ICA appealed to the President to consider the South East for subsequent foreign investments, stating that the region is in dire need of such investment that will boost the economy of the region by creating jobs for millions of unemployed youths and stimulate economic growth in the region noted for being the hub of commerce in the country.

It further explained that one of the factors fueling  agitation among some youths in the region is the near collapse of  the economy in the area, stressing that further neglect of the region will reinforce the misconception that Igbos truly have no place or role in the APC led Federal Government.