The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has reiterated the commitment of the Tinubu Administration to the nation’s industrial revolution. He said government will revitalize Ajaokuta Steel Plant to begin production for the industrialization of the country.
A statement from the Ministry, signed by Tine-Iulun M.A for Director Press and Public relations, said the Minister gave the assurance during a three day tour of facilities of ASCO in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe, recent.
Prince audu emphasized the point that the complex would also be instrumental for the creation of jobs and wealth as well as attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary A Ogbe, on a three-day working visit, made this known during his maiden tour of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant on Wednesday 4th of October, 2023 in Kogi State.
Prince Audu revealed that the Ministry of Steel Development is working on a Road Map that will contain a three-year revival plan for the Revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, as well as contain recommendation to designate the Plant Area as an Industrial Park that would be a Free Trade Zone to attract local and international investors.
He noted that in line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the administration will ensure that the Steel Plant, which has been moribund for about forty-five years, is resuscitated and begins production before the end of its tenure, adding that the plant when revived, would be beneficial to all as it will create about five hundred thousand jobs.
Speaking further, Prince Audu assured that the purpose of the facility visit was to ascertain the operational and none-operational level of the Plant and make recommendations on how to turn the plant around to begin to production.
According to the minister, production of steel sheets from the Ajaokuta Steel Plant would be a significant achievement of the administration, a feat that has not been achieved in over years.
The Minister disclosed that though the task to get the plant running is an arduous one, he solicited the support of all stakeholders, stating that with the support and sincerity of purpose of all stakeholders, success would be achieved.
Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, said the working visit would afford the Minister and Permanent Secretary first-hand information and investment opportunities that abound in the Plant.
Engr. Sumaila noted that the benefits that would accrue from the completed and operationalised Plant cannot be overemphasized, adding that the nation’s revenue generation from the project, when completed, commissioned and operational, will have a huge impact on the accruals to the Federation Account as well as help to galvanize development in Kogi State as the host State and Nigeria in general.
