The Minister of Steel development, Prince Shaibu Audu, has said everything would be done to harness the nation’s steel for economic growth in order to meet both local and international consumption.
Prince Audu stated this during a two-day working tour of KAM Holding Ltd to encourage them as well as address pertinent challenges they may be facing.
He said under his watch, the ministry would actualise the revival of the steel sector and make it work.
During a courtesy visit to the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, in Ilorin where the company is domiciled, Audu noted that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the present administration is committed towards ensuring that the nation’s steel sector begins to revitalise the economy towards the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The minister expressed the ministry’s willingness to support indigenous steel companies across the country to produce optimally in ordee to meet both local and international consumption.
“We are here to show support to indigenous steel companies that can help provide millions of jobs for Nigerians. The steel sector, when properly harnessed, can provide large scale jobs for the people and industrialise the country,” he said.
He further noted that aside from wooing foreign investors, the ministry is committed to helping indigenous companies to grow and meet international best standards.
“It is high time we ensured that Nigeria is working for Nigerians,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor AbdulRazag said the minister’s visit shows his commitment towards attaining the mandate of the ministry as it would help the minister to move the sector to a new height.
In her welcome address, the vice chairman, Kam Holding Ltd, Dr Iyadunni Bolanle Yusuf, said in the past, the sector was dominated by foreign-owned companies until KAM came on, noting that it is now home to manufacturing companies of liquid, iron and steel products that are wholly owned by Nigerians.
