….Nigeria, others to benefit
Kingsley Okeke
The Chinese Government is set to build four world-class universities in Africa in the coming months. Mr. Cao Baogang, Executive President, Overseas Operation of the state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation, CRCC, made this known during an interactive session with selected journalists from Nigeria, at the company’s headquarters in Beijing, China.
Though details of the planned institutions, including proposed locations, remains sketchy, Mr. Baogang maintained that the plan is part of the Chinese government’s efforts to build competency in the construction and infrastructure sector in the continent. this initiative according to Mr. Boagang, whose company have been largely involved in the Chinese government’s infrastructure drive in the continent, would go a long way in easing the process of transfer of knowledge and technology in the long run.
In his words, ” I am aware of plans by the central government to construct 4 world class universities to be modeled after one of the leading engineering universities in China, in the coming months.” He further stated that CRCC will recommend Nigeria as one of the beneficiary countries for consideration.
Available statistics indicate that by the end of 2015, the stock of China’s investment in Africa hit 34 Billion US Dollars, which is 60 times compared to the year 2000. Furthermore, the peak of China’s trade volume has reached 220 Billion US dollars, three times compared to the year 2000.
These investments have been geared towards the development of the continent’s infrastructural sector, to address the major gaps that exist in the sector.
Mr. Baogang who led other executives to the meeting highlighted some of the companies major projects on the continent, including the 750 KM rail line from Djibouti to Ethiopia’s; the 1,385 km rail line in Nigeria; amongst many other game-changing projects. China is presently involved in infrastructure projects in about 35 countries in Africa.
The universities to be constructed are therefore aimed at building local competencies for post construction management of this legacy projects by the Chinese government.
Prior to the interactive session, members of the delegation were led on a tour of the company’s headquarters – with particular emphasis on the company’s evolution since its formation in 1948. The tour afforded the delegate the opportunity of appreciating the various growth phases of the world class corporation.
China Railway Construction Corporation Limited has become a mega size construction corporation under the administration of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of China (SASAC).
The company is one of the world’s most powerful and largest integrated construction group, ranking the 79th among the Fortune Global 500, and 8th among China’s Top 500 Enterprises，as well as 1st among ENR’s Top 250 Global Contractors in 2015, is the largest engineering contractor in China.
