FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPLEX

The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun recently led a Federal Government delegation on an inspection tour of the facilities at the Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASC) in Kogi State.  According to the Hon. Minister, the tour became necessary as a way to integrate the ‘reactivated complex’ into the Science, Technology and Innovative System of the country, in line with the focus of the present administration to strategise industrialization of the economy. 

Conceived in 1979 through the promulgation of the Nigerian Steel Council Decree No. 60 of 1979, ASP is the biggest integrated steel plant in Africa designed to produce iron and steel through conventional (blast furnace routed) method of steel production.  It had capacity to produce 1.3 million tons of liquid steel per annum in phase one, with built in facility to expand to 2.6 million tons, 5.3 million tons in phases two and three respectively.

The Hon. Minister and his delegation were received at the Complex by the management of Global Infrastructure Holding Limited (GIHL).  Addressing the delegation, the Managing Director of GIHL, Mr. K. K. Rao informed them of the progress of rehabilitation, commissioning and production the company has achieved, while the Chairman, Federal government Monitoring Committee, Chief P. U. Umunakukwe highlighted on the implementation of concession arrangement between the Federal Government and GIHL.

The group was later conducted round the steel complex where they inspected the Iron Making Unit, Repairs Shop, Foundry Shop, Research and Development Unit and the Metallurgical Training Centre (MTC) which offers training and manpower development with facilities designed to deliver both theoretical and practical knowledge with comprehensive on-the-job training. 

In his remark, the Hon. Minister who commissioned the recently renovated facility at the complex, assured the people of Governments’ commitment to ensure that all steel requirement of major infrastructure projects in the country were produced locally.  He also noted that the tour of the facility had provided them opportunity to see first hand the capabilities and potentials of the steel plant, describing it as a national asset that can jump start the industrialization of the economy.  

Other member of the delegation includes the Director-General of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Peter Onwualu, Director-General, National Office for Technology Acquisition Program, Dr. D. A. Okongwu, Director-General, National Building, Road Research Institute, Dr. A. Ali etc.

                                                                                                            Stella Azi (Mrs.)