China buys friendship in Abia as Otti shames contractors

China has declared readiness to deepen its relationship with the Abia State Government.

The Asian giant said it would strengthen existing partnerships and support the state’s development drive.

China’s Consul General in Nigeria, Ms. Yan Yuqing, gave the assurance in Umuahia on Wednesday.

Yuqing led a delegation from the Chinese Consulate on a working visit to Governor Alex Otti.

She said China would support Abia in agriculture, vocational education, and poverty alleviation projects.

Yuqing pledged to donate computers to support education in the state.

She also promised to introduce partners from China to help grow Abia’s economy.

According to her, China seeks a long-term, people-focused partnership with the state.

“This trip is a journey of understanding, friendship, and future collaboration,” she told Governor Otti.

The Consul General revealed plans to initiate exchange programmes between Abia institutions and Chinese universities.

She said Abia could get a sister university in China to foster knowledge-sharing.

Yuqing also mentioned plans to create an “Abia City” in China for cultural and business exchange.

If achieved, Abia will become the sixth Nigerian state to have a city named after it in China.

She praised Governor Otti’s leadership style and expressed confidence in his administration’s vision.

China, under its “Fight Against Hunger and Poverty” initiative, donated food worth over ₦4 million to Abia.

Yuqing said the items should go directly to the vulnerable and poor across the state.

Governor Otti thanked China for its interest in the state and the donations.

He said Abia people share strong similarities with the Chinese in values and work ethic.

“Our people are hardworking and entrepreneurial,” Otti said. “They believe in creating opportunities, not handouts.”

He described Abians as resilient and always ready to take on new challenges.

The Governor, however, noted that economic hardships remain a major concern across the country.

“We still have almost 50% of Nigerians living in poverty,” he said.

Otti compared Nigeria’s poverty rate with China’s, describing it as alarming.

“China has over 1.4 billion people and a poverty rate of just 1%,” he said.

He called for intentional efforts to reduce poverty levels in Nigeria.

The Governor also used the opportunity to express concerns over delayed projects in the state.

He criticised the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over slow delivery.

Otti said CCECC had delayed some key road projects in Aba.

He explained that the company completed one road quickly but delayed the second one for too long.

“That’s why I stopped awarding more jobs to CCECC,” Otti said firmly.

“They must finish the existing jobs before we consider them again.”

The Governor also expressed disappointment with CCECC’s operations in the state.

“They didn’t come asking for contracts,” he said. “I personally called them when I assumed office.”

He said he showed confidence in the company but received poor performance in return.

Otti questioned why CCECC has no operational office in Abia despite handling major contracts.

“We don’t tolerate excuses anymore,” the Governor declared.

He revealed that he even blocked the company from handling the new government house project.

“No job will go to them until they perform,” Otti said.

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