By Victoria Onehi
The Minister of State, Ministry of Steel Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu has revealed that in its efforts to develop and reposition the Steel Sector for maximum utilisation of the nation’s ore, qqp the Ministry is ready to explore and encourage local content to develop the Steel Sector.
The Minister stated this when he appeared on “Good Morning Nigeria” on NTA Tuesday, 19th December 2023 in Abuja.
In a statement by the Ministry,Ahmadu noted that it was very crucial to focus on strategies that will promote local participation and investment in the steel industry with a view to reducing the country’s dependence on imports, create employment opportunities, and boosting economic growth, adding that the importance of the steel sector to any nation’s infrastructural development can not be overemphasized.
According to him, the Nigerian steel sector has faced numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, policy inconsistencies, and limited access to finance and technology, which he said have hindered the sector from reaching its full potential He however, disclosed that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Steel Development is engaging various proactive strategies to ensure encouragement of both local and foreign participation in the sector for the development of the country.
He enumerated the strategies the Ministry is employing to include: Policy Support; Access to finance; Technology Transfer and Capacity Building; Infrastructure Development; Research and Development among others. He noted that these strategies when fully actualised would bring a positive leap to the industry.
The Minister said it is imperative to prioritise policies and initiatives that promote local participation and investment in the steel industry, as implementing these strategies outlined would help to harness the full potential of the nation’s steel sector and contribute to the country’s industrialization and economic development.
Ahmadu reiterated that the Ministry is committed to effectively positioning Nigeria as a prime investment destination, fostering partnerships that are poised to drive sustainable economic development and prosperity in the country.
The Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission NIPC, Aisha Rimi who also appeared on the programme, assured of the Commission’s commitment to ensure all assistance is given to the Steel Sector to promote direct foreign investment into the country. She stated that it was the Commission’s mandate to provide assistance to investors seeking to come into Nigeria.
Also, on the show was a representative of India Steel Company, Jindal Steel in Nigeria, Mukesh Sharma, who expressed his Company’s readiness to build a world Class Deep Sea Port Steel Plant in Nigeria worth over five billion dollars.
Other discussants were Faruq Aliyu Niger Extraction as well as Dr Emeka Ekengwu, a Mines and Steel Expert.
