By Rasheeda Yahaya
As a way of providing alternative to the insistent rise in foreign currency especially the dollar, the federal government is said to be considering the adoption of the Chinese Yuan.
Hon. Jafaru Yakubu, Member, representing Bali/Gossol federal constituency of TARABA State made this known in an exclusive interview with ROtv24.com in his office at the new building house of representative.
Hon. Jafara who is the chairman house committee on Nigeria – China Relations described the relationship between Nigeria and China as a very good one in terms of economic activities, cultural differences which he believed will strengthen the ties between the two countries.
“You can see the changes we have in our airports and railways especially the Lekki deep seaports in Lagos, these are the visible projects being done by the belt and road initiatives courtesy of the Chinese president Xi Jinping in Africa particularly in Nigeria”.
Jafaru said ” In my view as the chairman Nigeria China Relations committee using the yuan as an alternative is going to be very important for Nigeria just like during the BRICS, many countries joined Brazil, Argentina and South Africa. Vice president Kasheem Shetima was in south Africa to attend the BRICS meeting which I urged the federal government to join the BRICS City because part of the focal resolution. Using the yuan will be an alternative to our economy most especially what is happening with the Nigerian naira”.
Although Hon. Jafaru did not state how soon this will be he however said it is going to be very soon.
The chairman also revealed that the committee is a new established committee which as of now don’t have MDAs, ministries or departmental agencies to overside therefore it has no budget which is one of the constitutional role of a law maker, appropriation.
He however said that his committee deals with embassy as well as the Chinese community and so it faces a lot of challenges in terms of funding especially when the committee wants to travel to other part of the country which has quite a number of Chinese nationals especially places like Lagos, Kano where businesses are booming for the Chinese, he further state that they are only able to achieve that with the help of the speaker house of representative retired Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
On what Nigerians should expect from his committee, Hon. Jafaru Yakubu said that his committee has portrayed bridging the gap between Nigeria and China which he said was created at the right time.
He further notes that the president has attended the focal point meeting in China and therefore it is the right time for Nigeria and that China is the answer as they are the real friends of Africa and real friends of Nigeria.
Jafaru also called on Nigerians to wait and see more activities in the road and belt activities , education, scholarships and more activities in the economic sector.
Says the committee will continue to partner with the parliament of the republic of china in laws that will continue to better relationships between Nigeria and China in terms of business and also Chinese nationals doing business in Nigeria will have a safer environment to thrive.