Friday, 19 June 2015

Okorocha advocates the release of Nigerian prisoners in China

Governor Okorocha receiving a gift from the Consul-General of China, Mr Liu Khan when he paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has called on the government of China to review the cases of Nigerians imprisoned in that country to ensure that innocent ones were not punished for offences they did not commit.
He made the call yesterday when the Consul-General of China, Mr Liu Khan paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

According to him, many Nigerians including Imo people have been languishing in jail in China following reports by some international media outfits. He urged the Chinese government to revisit the cases with a view to releasing the innocent ones.
In his words, “The report we get from the Internet and CNN show that there are so many Nigerians today languishing in jail of China.  I am concerned about Nigerians particularly the people from Imo State and I want to have a working relationship with you to revisit the cases of those imprisoned especially those from my State to make sure the innocent ones are not punished for offences they never committed”

Speaking further during the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that his administration was determined to transform Imo into the China of Nigeria and also approved a business tour for 100 Imo businessmen and industrialists to China for partnership that would enhance the industrial sector of the State. Said he;  “We shall be raising the first 100 businessmen  which I will forward through my Liason Office to your office.  One hundred [100] businessmen that I personally as a governor will sign and guarantee for their business to enable them go to China and do business and come back and go again.  In that case, we begin the gradual technological transfer to our country”.

He said China remains the best partner for the industrialization programme of his administration, and expressed optimism that Imo will succeed as China has excelled in the industrial sector of the economy.
The governor told the Consul-General that Imo State is highly blessed with fertile soil, large quantity of gas deposit and other natural resources coupled with hardworking citizens but lacks the technological know-how to harness such resources to their optimum.
He stressed that Imo has the highest gas deposit in Nigeria with vast fertile soil but needs modern technological equipment to improve on agriculture. “‘Imo is a special State with the highest gas deposit in Nigeria, abundant human resources and education as the key industry, we want to succeed with you in industrialization, we want to know the technological know-how and develop the resources of our land.  Imo people are your best partners in business,” the governor explained.
He also called on the Chinese investors to help develop the Oguta Lake and other areas to boost tourism and industrialization and thanked the Chinese Consul for his willingness to grant China Visa to Nigerians on business trips.

Earlier, the Chinese Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr Liu Khan said his visit to Imo State was to interact with the governor and Imo business group to explore areas of partnership with Imo State and China.
Mr Khan who expressed willingness to encourage bilateral ties between Imo investors and Chinese businessmen, noted that statistics from the Chinese visa office showed that most visa applicants are Igbo people and pointed out that Igbo people have made great contributions to the development of Nigeria.
“The Igbos are not only eager to explore but are inclined to learning and sharing experiences with others” Mr Khan remarked.
The Consul-General recalled that China and Nigeria established diplomatic relationship in 1971 and in 2001 both countries established strategic partnership which has yielded great economic dividends to both countries.  He therefore encouraged Imo people interested in doing business with the Chinese to feel free to apply for China Visas as his office will give necessary assistance to facilitate their trip

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