FG To Begin Military Hardware Production In Ajaokuta Complex

The Federal Government is set to begin the production of military hardware in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, Kogi State

To this end the Ministries of Steel Development and Defence are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and the Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle made this known after a meeting in Abuja.

According to Prince Audu, the collaboration between both Ministries will bring to fruition the vision of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu which is geared at reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Complex for steel production and other purposes, including military hardware.

The Minister of Steel Development said that the Steel complex has various engineering workshops with the capacity to produce hardware for the military under the Defence Industries Cooperation of Nigeria (DICON) Act.

“Today is a day that what we all are waiting for under the renewed hope agenda is coming to fruition, the partnership between both ministries, include the signing an MoU so that DICON and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited can partner to produce military hardware such as rifles, vests, helmets and bullets, among other things, in the Ajaokuta Steel Complex”.

“Ajaokuta has the facility to also accommodate a military barracks. There are over 10,000 housing units in Ajaoukuta, of which only 3,000 to 4,000 are occupied. We will put together a quality Memorandum of Understanding that will be well implemented, and we are confident of the outcomes,” Audu stressed.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle emphasized that all agreements reached for the production of military hardware and a Military Industrial Complex in Ajaokuta was in line with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.

Dr. Metawalle further assured Nigerians of the iimmediate take-off of the Ajaokuta steel complex in maximum capacity, as he encouraged local partners to come on board.

“Today, we have agreed on so many things, including the review of the MoU signed in 2020 between DICON and the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), which would now be between both ministries” he noted.

“Both Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries will come up with a draft agreement, and we will have continuous and regular meetings so that great ideas can be put together in the agreement”.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, who assured the ministers of their support lauded them both for their commitments towards the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

“If we have a common goal, we can achieve it. Nothing will make Nigerians happier than to see Ajaokuta come to life again.

Also Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana who described the meeting as a landmark achievement that will bring forth monumental development to the steel industry and Defence architecture of the country stressed that all hands must be on deck to actualize the agreement for the eventual production of military hardware in Ajaokuta steel complex, as well as the establishment of a military industrial complex in Ajaokuta.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji