Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, representing Kogi Central on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, once again, asked the Federal Government not to dilly-dally on the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL).
Abatemi-Usman made this call at a meeting with the Secretary General of African Iron and Steel Association (AISA), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
The meeting, which is just one of the series of others with stakeholders in the steel sector, was held in the office of the Senator preparatory to his formal presentation of the Ajaokuta Steel issue on the floor of the Senate.
Reiterating his commitment towards steel development in Nigeria during the meeting, the Kogi Central Senator, according to a statement issued by his media aide, Michael Jegede, maintained that the government must attach utmost importance to the issue of Ajaokuta Steel because of its significance to the growth and development of the country’s economy.
The statement quoted Abatemi-Usman, a member of Pan African Parliament (PAP) as saying that “there can be no growth in the economy if you do not develop the steel industry. We cannot have proper diversification in the economy if the potentials in the steel industry are not fully harnessed.
“After spending about $5 billion on the Ajaokuta Steel, why is the government finding it difficult to finish the project, which requires just about 10% of the amount spent so far for it to be completed? Ajaokuta was concessioned but something was wrong with the concession and it was reversed.
“Therefore, the government has no choice other than to commence the process of completing the project in the interest of the country. I am happy that the current Minister of Mines and Steel is equally showing a great level of commitment towards the issue of Ajaokuta Steel.”
The former Special Assistant (SA) to Dimeji Bankole, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, further noted that the total overhauling of the steel industry in Nigeria will provide job for millions of Nigerians
