By Martha Agas
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, has said that the revival of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Plant would be a key driver of industrialisation in the country.
This is contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Lizzy Okoji, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Audu was reacting to the appointment of Prof. Nasir Abdulsalam, as the new Managing Director (MD) of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL).
Expressing confidence in the ability of Abdulsalam, the minister noted that the new MD was well-acquainted with the steel sector, having previously served as his Technical Adviser before his appointment.
He described the new leadership at ASCL as crucial to achieving the President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for economic diversification.
According to him, reviving Ajaokuta Steel Plant is a collective project. It is not something the minister, permanent secretary, or managing director can achieve alone.
”All hands must be on deck as it requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to realise Mr President’s vision for the revival of the company and the broader steel sector.”
The minister disclosed that significant progress had been made in attracting investors to various units of the steel company through a collegiate approach of reviving the plant.
He explained that this approach would involve concessioning each unit to investors with the core competence to operate them effectively.
”I assure you that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel and the entire steel sector is well underway following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in Moscow, Russia in September last year.
”We are on the verge of carrying out the technical and financial audit of the complex and other critical processes with a view to bringing in investors and suitors from the various options available.
”This is through a privatisation process as directed by Mr President. Our role is to consolidate these gains and present viable options for Mr President’s approval,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu recently approved the appointment of the new Managing Director, effective April 3, as part of efforts to revamp the steel industry and advance Nigeria’s industrialisation drive. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
