By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
As part of his efforts to secure foreign investments and foster strategic partnerships with global industry leaders towards accelerating sustainable development for Gombe state, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has embarked on a high-profile mission to the People’s Republic of China.
This visit is aimed at attracting international capital, expertise, and technology to drive key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and agriculture in line with his vision to transform Gombe into a thriving economic hub in Nigeria.
The Governor’s first official engagement in China was a visit to the China Railway 18th Bureau Group Corporation Limited (CR18G), a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). CR18G, a globally renowned engineering firm, is a key player in infrastructure development, having completed numerous large-scale projects worldwide, including railways, hydropower stations, and solar energy facilities.
During the visit, Governor Inuwa Yahaya engaged with the company’s top executives, with discussions focused on potential collaborations to enhance Gombe State’s infrastructure, energy capacity, and agricultural productivity.
A key aspect of the discussions centred on the establishment of a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Gombe State. This project, once actualized, is expected to significantly boost the state’s energy capacity, and contribute to both industrial growth and living standards for residents.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also explored avenues for partnership in agriculture, specifically the canalization of the Balanga Dam, which will be vital to supporting large-scale irrigation farming in order to enhance food production, create jobs, and ensure food security.
In addition to energy and agriculture, the Governor discussed the possibility of collaboration on regional infrastructure development, including the construction of roads and railways. These projects are in line with the Governor’s vision of improving connectivity, facilitating commerce, and enhancing the overall economy of Gombe State.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya used the opportunity to commend CR18G for its contributions to the development of Gombe State, particularly through its involvement in the construction of civil infrastructure at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.
He acknowledged the firm’s integral role in the state’s infrastructural transformation and expressed optimism about future collaborations that will further enhance the growth trajectory of Gombe State.
The Governor was received at CR18G’s headquarters by senior officials of the company, including Xi Jufa, Deputy General Manager; Xue Dewen, General Manager (International); Liu Wenjun, General Manager (Administration); Cai Zhifeng, Deputy General Manager of Marketing; Wan Lianyu, General Manager of Energy and Environment Conservation (EEC); and Dong Jian, Regional Manager for Gombe.
CR18G, a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), is a global leader in infrastructure development. Established in 1958 and recognized as a Fortune 500 company, CR18G specializes in large-scale construction projects, including railways, hydropower stations, and solar energy plants. The company employs over 50,000 people and has completed over 250 railway projects, 300 hydropower stations, and more than 2,500 architectural projects worldwide.
The Governor’s delegation included members of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Mustapha Usman Hassan and Hon. Kabiru Kuri, as well as the State Commissioner of Works, Housing and Transportation, Engr. Maijama’a Kallamu, and the Director-General of Research and Documentation, Ahmed Hussaini as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.
