Chairman, Governing Board of National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Dr Sabastian Ibezim has said that Nigeria cannot economically develop without a functional steel industry.
Technical Assistant Media and Public Relations to NMDC DG, Sunny Eweama, in a statement quoted Dr. Ibezim to have made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists after Board’s regular meeting at the centre.
Dr Ibezim lamented poor funding of the center saying it is a major challenge militating against the rapid development of the centre.
While appealing to the federal government to increase the Centre’s subventions, the chairman urged both the private and public sector investors to harness the potential of the centre to move the metal and Steel industry to enviable height.
He hailed the Centre’s as a Solid Mineral Research and Development Centre with the right facilities to revamp the economy through metallurgical and beneficiation processes.
Ibezim applauded the creative and revolutionary strides of the Director General of the center Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo and his team for bringing the centre to an international standard within one year of his leadership.
Earlier in his remarks, NMDC Director-General, Engr. Prof Linus Asuquo said with proper funding and encouragement, the center will generate jobs and boost Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
He said the plans to resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company in sight, will not only attract more investors, higher institutions and similar research institutes to partner with the Center in order to give Ajaokuta the needed assistance when fully operational.
