* Adegbite *Pix source :Leadership Newspapers
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, today stated that the Federal Government has resolved that Ajaokuta Steel Company would commence operations soon.
He stated this while declaring open the 2nd Nigeria Metallurgical Industry Stakeholders Forum, MISF, 2019 Engagement with the North-West Geopolitical Zone, with the theme, “Repositioning the Metal Sector for National Development and Economic Diversification” in Kaduna.
Adegbite, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Ayodele Adebiyi, urged metal operators in the country to ensure they come up with strategies and new approaches to growing the economy following the strategic and sensitive position they occupy in the solid minerals sector.
He contended that when operators in the metal industry are up and doing, industrialisation would not only be achieved but jobs would also be created in no distant future.
He said that there must be collective efforts to actualise the dream of the Buhari-led administration and dreams of Nigerians becoming reality.
According to him, “Government is aware of the key role of the metal sector in growing the economy; hence the Ministry’s strive to reposition it through organization of stakeholders’ forum to brainstorm on enhancing the sector, and launching of the Roadmap for the development of the mining and metal sector.We are processing the return of Russians for the completion, rehabilitation and operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which is expected to be active before the end of this present administration and other policies of government for the sector.”
He continued, “Local and foreign investors are to utilise the investment opportunities in the metallurgical sector to ensure its growth, and we as a Ministry will provide an enabling environment for your operations.”
Similarly, the Minister has inaugurated Mr. George Onyeacholam as the Chairman of the North-West Executives of the Metallurgical Operators Association of Nigeria(MOAN),while Mr. Haruna Leko is the Secretary-General.
Inaugurating MOAN, he advised the newly inaugurated Executive and members to use their experience and expertise to galvanise the industry towards contributing to the development of the economy. On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, called on participants at the workshop to share their experiences in the Metal Sector towards rebuilding the Metal industry to fully maximise its potentials for economic growth.
Muazu, who was represented by the Acting Director, Special Duties, Mr. Olayiwola Adebayo.
