A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to officially appoint them as monitoring partners for the recently signed agreement between Nigeria and China. This partnership aims to boost tourism and key sectors of Nigeria's economy.
The CSOs, which include China Tourism Promoters, Tourism Volunteers Network, RAPNEC, the Coalition of Road Safety NGOs of Nigeria, and Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance, emphasize the need for transparency in the execution of the agreement. Their goal is to ensure that the projects contribute to Nigeria's economic growth and development.
Speaking at a press conference led by Ambassador Phil Roberts, the group reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Nigeria fully benefits from the agreement. Roberts highlighted the potential impact on tourism and other vital sectors such as transportation and energy.
He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its continued support to Nigeria and Africa through initiatives like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These programs are seen as instrumental in developing infrastructure such as roads and railways, which are critical to Nigeria’s tourism sector.
“We sincerely thank the Chinese government for their unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development,” said Roberts. “These agreements will drive progress in building roads, railways, energy systems, and digital infrastructure, unlocking vast opportunities for millions of Nigerians.”
Roberts also commended President Tinubu for his leadership in securing these agreements with China, stating that the partnerships would lead to significant national improvements, especially in tourism. The CSOs called on the President to officially designate them as monitors to ensure the proper implementation of the agreements.
“We applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold leadership in securing these transformative partnerships,” Roberts remarked. “Under his leadership, Nigeria is on the path to a new era of growth and prosperity. Our group will continue to collaborate with the Chinese government to strengthen these partnerships.”
The CSOs stressed the importance of accountability in all projects associated with the agreement. Roberts asserted that transparent development is essential to achieving long-term success and urged the President to appoint their group to oversee the execution of the projects.
“Development without accountability is incomplete,” Roberts stated. “Our role is to ensure that this partnership with China fulfills its promise of a better Nigeria.”
This appeal aligns with the broader goal of ensuring that the Nigeria-China agreement delivers tangible benefits, promoting sustainable growth in tourism and other critical sectors of the economy.
