By Victoria Onehi
The Governor of Niger State, Dr Mohammed Bago, yesterday officially handed over 500 Hectares of Land
of Niger State to Abuja Steel Mills for Solar Farm and the AIG Industrial Park.
Governor Bago did the handing over of the land at a grounding breaking ceremony in Sabon Wuse,Tafa Local Government of Niger State yesterday.
The Governor described the project as the beginning of a landmark project that will reshape the industrial landscape and expand opportunities for the people of Niger state.
He said, “What we are witnessing is more than a ceremony, but is a clear declaration of our unwavering commitment to transforming Niger state into a leading investment destination of choice for sustainable economic growth. It is an indication that our vision of building a new Niger is not only a promise, it is steadily becoming a reality.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Group Chairman, African Industries Group (AIG) Raj Gupta, said the 500 hectares given to Abuja Steel Mill Limited is “historic” and that “it’s not just an opportunity to build industry, create jobs but really for me its main purpose is development and upliftment and empowerment of people.”
According to him, “the project will be the largest we already currently have the largest solar power installation in the country and with this we would perhaps be the largest in sub-saharan Africa and that puts Nigeria not only on the world steel map but also on the world’s renewable energy map.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe commended Governor Bago for his industrial statesmanship by handing over 500 hectares of land to the company will drive unprecedented economic development in Niger State, and it is a lasting legacy the Governor is leaving behind for the people of the state as it would attract massive investments into the State in a short while.
Also the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar commended the Governor for his vision by handing over such a massive expanse of land to the company, therefore expressed optimism that it will revolutionize industrialisation in the State.
“We want to thank His Excellency, the Governor for handing over the 500 hectares of land to Abuja Steel Mills, owned by the African Industries Group. The African Industries Group led by the very visionary Chairman, Mr. Raj Gupta, who took over a two-man business, two, three-man business, about 50 years ago, and transformed it to the biggest steel company in Nigeria and West Africa today.
“They have invested billions of dollars in the Nigerian economy, and they have contributed massively to the vision of Mr. President to grow the economy to $1 trillion by 2030 through various industries including steel, including transforming power, and also the various industries. I want to acknowledge and thank Mr. President for his vision in enabling us to create a conducive environment for Foreign Direct Investments to continue to come into Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Industry,Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh said the 500 Hectares land is going to help in the industrialisation of the nation.
He said: “The government can’t deliver on productivity without an event such as this nature. I mean, 500 hectares of land is huge. And on that is going to sit, what I understand, is going to be the largest and the hugest solar power installation, not just in Nigeria, but in West Africa. That is a Solar Farm and the AIG Industrial Park.
” You know, again and again, the potentials of this country are huge, and they are profound. And I think the only thing that will make them transcend from potentials to real, must be a combination of the private sector, of the public sector, of investors, and all of us coming together to get things to work.
“I am glad to be part of this event. This event actually helps me to deliver on my mandate. That mandate is to industrialise our country.
“The CBN has done quite a lot in terms of monetary policies, and we are still where we are. The missing gap is productivity.
“And through this one event today, a lot more people are going to be gainfully employed. Earlier on, we were told that there are close to 1,800 people that are already employed by this group. This land that is going to be given today and the industries that are going to be put together, is going to employ more and more people.
“In terms of how much we spend having to import a lot of products, steel products and all of that, what African Industries Group is doing provides us some kind of solution. The fact that it reduces our import burden. It reduces the unemployment challenge that we have.”
Enoh said.
