Hope for the revitalization of the country’s comatose steel sector was renewed on Monday, as the newly sworn-in Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu hit the ground running when he reeled-out the immediate goals of his administration.
Shuaibu assured that in line with the political will of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he would deploy the powers of his office as Minister of Steel to engage relevant stakeholders toward revitalizing the country’s steel sector, saying that he would ensure successful take-off of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant which has not been operated for 40 years.
The Minister expressed concern that the construction of Ajaokuta Steel Plant commenced more than 40 years ago, and lamented that ‘the plant is yet to be completed and fully commissioned,’ adding that the project was expected to generate social and economic benefits to Nigerians.
Discussing the sad trajectory of the Nigerian steel sector, the minister of steel said: ‘Steel development in Nigeria faced, and is still facing key challenges. My task as the Honorable Minister would be to work with all the stakeholders to address the challenges in order to ensure the successful take-off of the steel plant. The ultimate objective is to start the engine of the steel plant, which has not been done in 40 years.’
He commended the founding fathers of Nigeria for giving attention to the strategic importance of steel development by starting the construction of the plant. He expressed strong optimism for the revitalization of the steel sector saying: ‘We must ensure that their efforts are not in vain, and together, we must start the engine of the steel rolling plant at Ajaokuta Steel complex, we must start the engine of the plant,’ he said.
According to the Minister, the commitment of the Tinubu administration to revitalizing Nigeria’s steel sector is not in doubt, noting that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima recently visited the President of the Russian Federation as part of efforts to revitalize the industry. He said the Tinubu administration has the political will to address the legacy challenge of the steel sector.
‘As minister of steel development, I am determined to pursue the gains of that memorable visit,’ he said, adding, ‘We will complete ASCO and as an effort to set the pace for sustainable growth and development of the Nigerian steel industry.’
By this speech, which is a wake up call to all stake holders in the steel sector, I wish to remind them of the onerous task before us which is to transform the steel sector and place it on the path of growth and development.
He said there is no doubt that if Nigeria gets the steel sector right, the country will get other things right and key-into the benefits of a G-20 economy.
‘We would be working to fulfill the mandate in line with Present Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, and we want all hands to be on deck to achieve the objective.’
The minister described the creation of the ministry of steel development by Mr. President as a testament to the determination of the Federal Government to develop the steel industry, saying that it underscores the determination of government to develop the sector and industrialize Nigeria.
Commenting on the strategic importance of steel, he said: ‘Steel is power, steel is technology and steel is politics because of its strategic nature and capacity to transform the fortunes of nations,’ noting that Nigeria will not be an exception in this regard.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake said he was assigned the portfolio by President Bola Tinubu because of the sensitive position of the sector to economic renewal. He pledged the readiness of the administration to fulfil the mandate of the ministry of solid minerals development.
“The ministry is key to the administration and the president wanted someone that he can trust to deliver effectively, So that position was one that I specifically asked Mr President to give me and he obliged” he stated.
He warned members of staff to brace up for the tasks ahead in delivering the renewed hope to Nigerians adding that all civil service bottlenecks should be eliminated to enable him carry out his duties effectively.
“We would not allow bottlenecks to stifle our set goals. If you can really sit down to listen, you would understand that hydrocarbon is fading out, and the attention of the world is shifting to solid minerals. So, we must get it right,” Alake added.
“I understand what results are, having served under the current president as commissioner while he was the governor of Lagos state and we are here to achieve results. I believe we can do it with all hands on deck.”
Minister of State, for Steel Development, Maigari Ahmadu said all efforts must be result-oriented and called on all staff to work to ensure the full realization of the set goals of the Tinubu administration in the steel sector, stating that only the success of government in steel will guarantee electoral victory in the next election.
Ahmadu called for synergy among stakeholders and staff of the ministry to enable the ministers realize set goals.
Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe who welcomed the ministers said the mandate of the ministry is to develop the mineral resources of Nigeria. ‘Now, we also have the ministry of steel and I believe that the aim is to ensure that steel development is fully harnessed for the industrialization of Nigeria,’ she said.
‘We assure you, Honorable Ministers that we are here to work with you to ensure that you succeed in the mandate that has been given to you,’ the Permanent Secretary added.
