The Federal Government on Wednesday received a $1 million grant from the Government of China to support victims of flooding in parts of the country.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, signed the exchange notes for the grant in Abuja.
Bagudu described the intervention as timely, saying it would complement government’s efforts to deliver relief materials and rebuild livelihoods in severely affected communities.
He said the assistance would be managed transparently through an agreed framework to ensure accountability and efficiency.
The minister added that a joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism with the Chinese Embassy had been put in place to guarantee that the support reached the intended beneficiaries.
In his remarks, Dunhai expressed China’s solidarity with Nigeria, noting that both countries had experienced devastating flooding in recent years.
“In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria always stand together,” the envoy said.
He said the grant reflected China’s confidence in Nigeria’s recovery efforts, stressing that the country would overcome the hardship under the leadership of the Federal Government.
Dunhai also noted that relations between both countries continued to grow, pointing to President Xi Jinping’s recent announcement of zero-tariff treatment for African countries, including Nigeria.
The aid will target communities in Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Adamawa states, which were among the worst hit by the floods.