3 days Ago By Success Nwogu
The actualisation of the N1.6 trillion iron-ore to steel project In Kogi will transform Nigeria industrially. It will not only boost the steel sector but also stimulate the nation’s economy through the creation of massive employment and consequently improve socioeconomic and living conditions of the host community and Nigerians by extension.
These were the views of the General Secretary of the Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ISSSAN), Comrade John Odigie, in an interview with New Telegraph over the weekend. The Federal Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the $1 billion (N1.6 trillion) iron ore-to-steel project in Kogi State with two Chinese companies, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Sinomach-He.
The MoU is in furtherance of FG’s plans to promote local value addition in the solid minerals sector, as a significant effort in Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation. President Tinubu signed the MoU during recent visit to Beijing, China, which he also used to attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr.
Dele Alake, according to a statement by his media aide, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, also announced Federal Government’s approval of the establishment of the new N1.6 trillion ironore to steel project in Kogi State.
He explained that this was part of government’s strategy to promote local value addition in the solid minerals sector, adding that the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s push to drive industrial growth and job creation. The minister spoke in Beijing during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to China, where Alake addressed the project’s promoters: Nigeria’s Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited and China’s Sinomach-He. Alake highlighted government’s reversal of the “pit-to-port” policy, which previously allowed the export of raw minerals and explained that now, local value addition is a priority to enhance job creation, skill transfer, and improve trade relations.
For him, it is important that Nigeria embarks on value addition so as to improve its trade balance with China. He said: “Our trade balance with China is over $1 billion in favor of China because we export raw materials. Once Nigeria starts exporting value-added products, our trade balance will improve, and we can enhance foreign exchange earnings.
” Though Alake assured of government’s full cooperation to ensure swift delivery of the project, the ISSSAN Secretary said he was approaching the minister’s promise with cautious optimism. He noted that there had been several failed promises of the government, adding that until the current project takes off and is fully actualised, he would not be excited. Odigie, however, advised the government to ensure the realisation of the project.
He added that the project implementation committee must comprise professionals with integrity and austute managers. He said: “It is not today that the federal government has been making huge promises. It is not new.
Federal government has been making bogus promises without implementation. “The problem we have in this country is implementation of whatever promises they have on ground. If it works, fine.
if it does not work, we will still not be surprised because it has been like that for many periods. “If it works, it will be marvelous and fine. Successive governments have been making promises which we proved to be lipservice to the resuscitation of the steel industry in Nigeria.
Every promise they have in the steel sector has come to fail. That is why I am not so keen in clapping for this administration in whatever promises they may make. “If this works, it will be glorious because it is going to enhance employment of Nigerians, boost our economy.
Infact it is going to be a thing that we have been looking for. It will boost of businesses and economy around Kogi and environs and Nigeria at large. For me, until it works, I can not feel excited.
” He urged the government not to play politics with the project. According to him, the government should match word with action and ensure the realization of the project. He decried that the steel industry has suffered greatly because of non-completion of laudable projects embarked upon by the government in the sector.
He noted that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex in Kogi State had been comatose after a great percentage of the project had been completed. According to him, Nigeria would have transformed into a steel manufacturing and exporting hub in Africa, if the Ajaokuta steel project had been completed. He pleaded with the government to avoid a repeat of the Ajaokuta steel complex debacle on this current project.
He advised the government to revive and complete Ajaokuta steel project and fast-track the advancement of the steel industry in the country. Odigie said: “My candid advise to the government is for them to walk their talk. If they walk their talk, it will work but if they play politics with it, it will work.
They should stop the idea of playing politics with everything that will boost our lives and economy. “They should assemble professionals in the steel industry who are men and women of integrity to execute the project. They are the people who have ideas and will execute such ideas so that steel development will come to fruition.
“I pray that they will not play politics with it. I pray for its successful execution. “National development has been retarded given that Nigeria’s steel industry has not been developed.
The problem in the industry has been disturbing. Go to Ajaokuta, it has been in a comatose state. If the government is serious, they should know what to do to revive that place.
They should revive the steel sector.”.
