The federal government has expressed satisfaction with stakeholders approach to the implementations of the strategic goals set for the development of Nigeria’s steel sector. Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Mohammed Musa Sada, made the remark during a working visit to Ajaokuta Steel Company and five other steel industries in KogI State recently. FRANCIS ADINOYI KADIRI reports
The quest for a functional steel development industry in Nigeria received a boost recently received a boost as the federal government embarked on a tour of strategic industries in Kogi state. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed Sada, stressed that the strategic plan for the development of the nation’s steel industry are being implemented by the Federal Government, adding that “one of the strategies is the invitation of private investors for investment in the integrated steel plant at ASCO.”
A report signed by the Head of Media to the Minister, Marshal H. Gundu, made available to Blueprint said the minister’s “working visits to Ajaokuta Steel Development Company, the National Iron-Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, West African Ceramics Company site, KCM Company exploration site and African Resources Company exploration site in Kogi State were rewarding” even as the statement said the visited organisations are working in tandem with the nation’s agenda for strategic development of the sector.
The minister further said that private investors had shown interests and signed Memorandum of Understandings with the management of Ajaokuta Steel Company to reactivate and operate already completed plants at the company such as the Thermal Power Plant, the Rolling Mills, the Metallurgical Training Centre and the Engineering Workshops.
According to Arc. Sada, part of the strategic plan to move the steel industry forward is by avoiding past mistakes that militated against the development of the sector and value addition by operators in the sector. He disclosed that part of the strategy is to dovetail the operations at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited to the actualization of the Industrial Revolution Plan of the Federal Government.
While saying that part of the strategic plan is the production of spare parts for the needs of the automobile industry in the country at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited since Nissan had assembled and produced the first made in Nigeria car this year.
The minister reiterated the desire of the federal government to attain self-sufficiency in the production of ceramic tiles and the availability of iron-ore and other solid mineral resources for the production of steel and other allied products in the country.
Arc. Sada, who is the minister of mines and steel development disclosed that he and the minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Director- General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr, Benjamin Diki were on the working visit to synergise strategies and actions towards the realization of Federal Government’s Industrial Revolution Plan.
Arc. Sada who had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada said that the purpose of the working visit to Kogi State was to examine and review developments on site at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, the National Iron-Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, the West African Ceramics Company site, KCM Company exploration site and African Resources Company exploration site.
Executive Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada reiterated the need for an active and operational Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited for the realization of Nigeria’s industrial development.
Captain Wada said that a vibrant steel industry was germane for the achievement of the industrial revolution plan of Nigeria, adding that he was elated with the plan of the federal government to operationalise the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in line with its industrial revolution plan. He governour said his administration was happy with the information that the legal encumbrances surrounding the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited with the former concessionaires had been resolved, thereby opening way for the reactivation and operationalisation of the steel integrated plant by private investors.
Governor Wada assured that the government and the good people of Kogi State would give the necessary cooperation and support towards the actualization of the industrial revolution plan in line with the transformation agenda of the federal government.
The Governor who also accompanied the two ministers on the working visit to the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, the National Iron-Ore Mining Company, Itakpe and other operators in the Minerals and Metals sector in Kogi State thanked President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for sending the two ministers on the working visit to the state.
‘’This visit has raised our hopes in Kogi State that one day Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited will be up and running. I am impressed with what I saw during the working visit to the plant,’’ the governor said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga said that there was no way we could revolutionise the country’s industries as a nation without a vibrant steel sector, adding that an operational and vibrant Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited will provide the needed services. He added that citizens and government must maximize the investment potentials of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited whose equipment were not obsolete but very much functional.
Dr. Aganga said that Nigeria should be able to produce domestic consumables as a nation yearning for industrialization, adding that there must be value addition to our natural resources before they are exported to other countries to create jobs and wealth for Nigerians.
The Industry, Trade and Investment Minister said that Nigeria’s industrial revolution plan was on course, adding that necessary infrastructural facilities such as good network of roads, dredging of rivers, reactivation of rail lines and provision of electricity, creation of the right investment environment to drive the plan were gradually being provided in the country.
The Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Engr. Isah Joseph Onobere thanked the visiting team saying the visit demonstrated government’s commitment to the quest for a functional Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, which he said will be a key player in the transformation of the iron and steel subsector in Nigeria’s industrial revolution plan.
Ebgr. Onobere said that with the continued support of the governor and the two ministers a lot more could still be achieved at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Dauda Kigbu and directors in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development were on the entourage.