2023 is the 10th anniversary of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.

At the beginning of the new year, "good news" came from China-Nepal Belt and Road cooperation. On January 24, local time, the opening ceremony of the first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line in Nigeria, undertaken by China Civil Engineering, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation, was held.

Nigerian President Buhari said at the celebration dinner that day that rail transit can help relieve urban traffic pressure, reduce air pollution, and improve people's travel experience, thereby improving the business environment, attracting investment, and promoting urban economic development.

As an early Chinese company that went overseas to develop business, China Civil Engineering has been rooted in Nigeria for 42 years. Over the years, China-Nigeria economic and trade exchanges have deepened, and cooperation in various fields has been continuously strengthened. China Civil Engineering is an important witness of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

At present, the first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line project has been opened to traffic. What are the next project plans? In the field of infrastructure construction, how close is the cooperation between China and Nepal? Compared with other regions, what are the key difficulties in carrying out large-scale infrastructure projects in Nigeria (Africa)? In response to the above questions, Zhang Zhichen, executive director of China Civil Engineering Nigeria Co., Ltd., accepted an exclusive interview with reporters.

Lagos Light Rail Blue Line boosts regional economy

Reporter: Can you talk about the original intention of contacting the light rail blue line project?

Zhang Zhichen: In 1983, Lateef Jakande, then Governor of Lagos State, first proposed the construction of Lagos rail transit. In the early 2000s, Bola Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State, re-proposed the plan to develop light rail, and officially announced in December 2003 that the Lagos State Transportation Bureau would be responsible for the implementation. In 2008, after nearly five years of research and demonstration by the Lagos State Transportation Bureau, the planning of seven Lagos state rail transit lines was completed, and it was decided to give priority to the development of two lines, the blue line and the red line of the light rail.

At that time, we had been rooted in Nigeria for many years, and gradually won the recognition of the state government through our good technical strength, brand image and ability to perform contracts. It is also against this background that the Lagos State Government invited our company to participate in the bidding. After receiving the invitation to bid for the light rail blue line project, our company attached great importance to it, believing that the project will be a great project that can effectively improve traffic congestion in Lagos State. The interconnection of air, air and space helps economic development, and of course it is also conducive to the display of Chinese technology, Chinese wisdom, and Chinese solutions.

Therefore, we immediately organized an expert group to conduct feasibility study and quotation work. After many communications and negotiations with the state government, in May 2009, the Lagos state government officially awarded the Lagos light rail blue line project to our company. company.

Reporter: It is understood that this project is the first electrified light rail in West Africa and also the first cross-sea railway system in Africa. How difficult is the engineering difficulty of this project?

Zhang Zhichen: As the largest populous city and largest economy in Africa, the development of urban rail transit in Lagos State is a real demand. The Lagos Light Rail Blue Line project is the largest infrastructure project in the history of Lagos State, and it is also one of the most difficult infrastructure projects.

During the construction process, issues such as land acquisition, demolition, and project funds brought great difficulties to the organization and implementation of the project. Moreover, in the construction process, there are also many difficult technical problems. For example, during the construction of a cross-sea bridge, the pile foundation construction will encounter complex geological conditions, and at the same time, the effective construction time will be short due to the influence of tides. The onshore project crosses the urban area, causing great construction disturbance, and the long rainy season in Lagos also leads to short available construction time. Especially since 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic has been raging and the world economy is complex and changeable, leading to severe inflation, soaring material prices, and long transportation cycles for imported equipment and materials, all of which have posed challenges to our construction.

Faced with a series of difficulties and pressures, we rationally allocated resources, raided key control nodes, optimized the construction organization plan, and ensured that the construction period was carried out as planned. At the same time, the construction quality is strictly controlled to ensure the smooth completion of the first phase of the project by the end of 2022 with efficient and high-quality project construction. Once again, we have fulfilled our promise to the owner and won the high recognition of the Lagos state government and the owner. At the same time, we have provided experience and reference for rail transit construction in Nigeria and other countries in West Africa.

Reporter: On January 24, the first phase of the project was successfully opened to traffic. What is the next project plan? What is the company's vision for operational effectiveness?

Zhang Zhichen: According to the owner's plan, we will carry out trial operation and commissioning in the first quarter of 2023. After completion, we will officially put it into operation. At the same time, we will start the construction of the second phase of civil engineering from Maitu to Okokomoko.

It can be expected that after the project is put into operation, it will greatly alleviate the traffic congestion in Lagos State and provide citizens with convenient and comfortable travel options. In the initial stage of operation, the government will limit fares, promote the development of the public transportation system with preferential fares, and gradually change citizens' private car travel habits, reduce vehicle exhaust emissions, and achieve environmental benefits.

Reporter: For the local economy, what positive effects is this project expected to play?

Zhang Zhichen: On the one hand, the completion of this project will greatly promote regional economic development and create employment opportunities for local people. On the other hand, by vigorously promoting the interconnection of the local "river, sea, land and air", improving the functions of the Lagos urban road network, facilitating the transportation of goods, and expanding the space for urban development, the project will also further consolidate the status of Lagos State in The important position in West Africa's economic, transportation and logistics fields has important strategic development significance.

Rooted in Nigeria for more than forty years

Reporter: In terms of localization, what experience has the project accumulated? How is the cooperation between the Chinese and Nigerian teams since the start of the project?

Zhang Zhichen: During the construction of the project, we have provided Nigeria with a large number of employment opportunities. Local personnel accounted for more than 98%, creating more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. There are more than 50 local partners, subcontractors, and suppliers, and the maximum extent is to attract local partners to participate in the project construction.

"Teaching a man to fish is more important than teaching a man to fish." We have also trained a large number of technical and management talents for Nigeria, including more than 400 technical personnel and more than 80 management personnel. From 2018 to 2019, we also assisted the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Transportation to send 150 Nigerian high school students to Chang'an University and Central South University for further study in two batches.

It is worth pointing out that this is a mutually beneficial strategy. While China Civil Engineering is contributing to Nigeria's infrastructure construction, the company itself has also achieved rapid development. During the implementation of the project, we have accumulated valuable experience in localization management, including how to formulate a localization strategy for human resources, how to improve the local talent pool, how to optimize cross-cultural management and education and training, and so on.

Reporter: China Civil Engineering has been rooted in Nigeria for more than 40 years. Compared with other regions, what are the difficulties in carrying out large-scale infrastructure projects in Nigeria (Africa)? Do you have any suggestions or reminders for Chinese companies entering Nigeria (Africa)?

Zhang Zhichen: Similar to many countries in Africa, Nigeria's economic development in recent years has not been stable enough and is easily affected by external factors. And Nigeria is a typical oil economy, oil price fluctuations will largely affect the development of the national economy. It is suggested that enterprises planning to develop in Nigeria should pay close attention to the local political and economic changes, and at the same time carry out targeted business in light of the characteristics of the enterprises themselves.

The advantages of China-Nigeria cooperation are outstanding

Reporter: In 2023, China and Nepal will celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Based on the practical experience of China Civil Engineering, what do you think is the closeness of cooperation between China and Nigeria in the field of infrastructure construction? What are the advantages of cooperation between the two countries?

Zhang Zhichen: China Civil Engineering has been operating in Nigeria since 1981 and has been in Nigeria for 42 years. It can be said that it has witnessed the cooperation and development of China and Nigeria in the field of infrastructure construction.

For example, the Akha Railway, Rai Railway, Abuja City Railway, the four terminal building projects, and the Lagos Blue Line light rail project that we participated in are all examples of China-Nepal cooperation. These projects not only provide important infrastructure guarantees for the social and economic development of Nigeria, but also promote the employment of local people, achieve good social benefits, and have received unanimous recognition and praise from the Nigerian government and people. At the same time, these infrastructure projects are also conducive to the "going out" of Chinese technology and equipment, promoting the deepening of China-Nigeria international cooperation in production capacity, and helping the "true, friendly and sincere" cooperative relationship between the two countries continue to reach new levels.

The advantages of China-Nigeria cooperation are outstanding. On the one hand, Nigeria's economy ranks first in Africa, and the country is currently increasing infrastructure construction, with huge market potential. On the other hand, China can provide Nigeria with the necessary capital, technology and experience. According to our observations, the cooperation between the two parties over the years has effectively improved the level of infrastructure construction in Nigeria, increased the employment rate, and promoted local social and economic development.

Reporter: As of the end of 2021, among the 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, 52 countries and the African Union Commission have signed cooperation documents with China on the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Africa has become one of the most important directions for participating in Belt and Road cooperation. In African countries and regions, what projects can CCECC expect in the future?

Zhang Zhichen: In addition to the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line, we are implementing landmark projects such as the Kaduna-Kano Railway, the Eastern Railway, the second runway of the Abuja International Airport, the office building of the Federal State Administration of Taxation, and the Nigerian Communications University in Nigeria. In Africa, we will continue to do a good job in the operation of the Yaji Railway Project, the follow-up delivery and maintenance of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention Project aided by Ethiopia to the African Union, and the construction of the Central Line in Tanzania.

There is a profound traditional friendship between China and Africa. The infrastructure projects implemented by China in Africa have shown the quality of China-Africa relations and the background of China-Africa friendship. We will continue to promote the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly build a China-Africa community with a shared future.Editor/Ma Xue