Steel Plant : FG Partners Chinese Firm

By Georgina Humphrey

The Federal Government is to partner a prominent Chinese company to construct a new Steel Plant in Nigeria and begin the manufacturing of military hardware at the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, in Kogi State.

A statement signed by the Head of Press & Public Relations Department in the Ministry, Salamatu Jibaniya, says the discussions was initiated when the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, his defence counterpart, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru visited the Steel firm in Hefei and Guangzhou Regions of China.

The statement explains that the development is part of the government’s commitment to industrialize Nigeria through the steel industry.

“Like several other international and local investors, they have indicated interest in setting up a new Steel Plant in Nigeria, as well as handling a component of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for building military hardwares in Nigeria”.

“The Minister of Defence and I led this delegation, which includes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, Sole Administrator/Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, to enable us have a first-hand look at the Luan steel plants before arriving at a decision”.

According to Prince Audu the collaboration aligns with the goal of revitalizing the Steel Industry in Nigeria, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda.

It stresses that the objective is to attract significant foreign direct investments, stimulate the nation’s economy, and generate numerous job opportunities

“Work has commenced to create an operational Steel Industry that would attract billions of dollars of foreign direct investments into the country, open up the nation’s economy, and create hundred of thousands of job opportunities, which forms the core of the renewed hope agenda” Prince Audu states.

According to the statement the delegation explored the establishment of a new Steel Plant in Nigeria and the involvement of Luan Steel in the production of military equipment at Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

“The plan to produce military hardware at the Ajaokuta Steel Plant is seen as a timely response to Nigeria’s security challenges, aiming to contribute to the fight against insecurity and terrorism” he adds.

The statement further explains that the building of Military Hardwares in Ajaokuta Steel Plant is also timely, considering the insecurity bedevilling the country noting that this will help in the fight against insecurity and terrorism.

It expresses optimism that with all the commitments on the ground, the government is confident that before the end of the administration, commercial Steel Production will commence in some of the government owned entities in Nigeria.

Edited By Grace Namiji