From Right; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu; MD, Inner Galaxy Group, Li Shuang; Honorable Minister of Steel Development Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi; Jackie Chan and Sa’adatu Salley, members of the Inner Galaxy Group who paid a working visit to the Honorable Minister in his office in Abuja on the 16th October 2024.
By Victoria Onehi
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu says a Chinese Company, Inner Galaxy Steel Company Limited has promised to invest about $300 million to set up a new Steel Plant for the production of specialised steel products in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Prince Audu while receiving the delegation in the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, with other Directors, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Mr. Wole Adeniyi and his team on Wednesday, in the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja, described the move as a welcome development.
The Minister states it shows the Group’s confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn the fortune of the nation around through the Steel Sector.
The Minister in a statement by the Head, Information & Public Relations,Salamatu F. Jibaniya,assured them of the Federal Government’s support in creating an enabling environment and providing other fiscal incentives for their sustainable operation in Nigeria.
He added that the Ministry will review the proposal of the company as well as involve relevant government authorities for concessionary benefits within the current operational framework so as to facilitate the proposed foreign direct investment.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu lauded the new investment interest of the Chinese Company, noting that the Minister is keen on driving the steel revival efforts of Mr. President.
Dr. Isokpunwu, reiterating the trust in the expertise of the Chinese, stated that he expects Inner Galaxy Group to follow through with their promises by investing in local manufacturing and not becoming a transit point for steel importation.
Earlier, President of the Inner Galaxy Group Mr. Li stated that the Group, which has been in operation in Nigeria for over twenty years with current investments in Steel production in excess of $1 billion is seeking the cooperation of the Ministry to facilitate further investment of $300 million for the establishment of a new Steel Plant in Nigeria for the production of specialised steel products like plates, angles, beams, and stainless products amongst others.
Mr. Li noted that the investment is expected to increase the steel production output of the country, reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported specialised steel products and conserve scarce foreign exchange with attendant employment generation opportunities—both direct and indirect employment estimated at about 10,000 with other multiplier effects in the economy.
Also, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank, while speaking, assured the Ministry of the Bank’s readiness to support the numerous initiatives of the Ministry, especially the proposed Industrial Park with a Free-Trade Zone and CNG Park at Ajaokuta Steel Territory.
