By Felix Khanoba
Iron and Steel stakeholders in the country have called on Federal Government to disregard declaration by the Managing Director, Kaduna Mining Development Company Limited, Dr. Mohammed Sani, that Kaduna State would be the first to produce liquid steel for industrial development in the continent.
The stakeholders, who made the call through its spokesperson, Mr. Lateef Bello, at the weekend in Lagos l, said the statement is not only condemnable but highly disappointing considering the heavy investments by some committed industrialists in Nigeria.
The group urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, to examine the activities of the company in order not to allow government to fall victim of their propaganda.
He noted that, “How can an upcoming investment claimed to be the first company to produce liquid steel in African continent after over 62years of Nigeria’s Independence with high economic and industrial drive.
“The public pronouncement by Dr. Mohammed that work on the steel company was in top gear for completion whereby industries in need of it would come for patronage is nothing but a mere fallacy and deceit.”
Bello further added that Liquid Steel production has become a common trade in Nigeria steel sector with Ajaokuta Steel Company using it to produce billets before shutting down operations, as well as Delta steel among others.
According to him, “Presently in Nigeria, no fewer than 30 companies are into Liquid Steel production namely; African Foundary Ltd, (Ogun), African Steel Mills Nig Ltd, (Lagos), Abuja Steel Nig Ltd, (Abuja), Ikorodu Steel Mills Nig Ltd, (Lagos), Kam Steel Integrated Co Ltd, (Kwara), Kam Steel Integrated Co Ltd. (Ogun), Top Steel Nig Ltd, (Lagos), Pulkit Steels & Alloys Nig Ltd, (Lagos), Landcraft Industries Nig Ltd, (Lagos),Phoenix Steel Nig Ltd, (Ogun), Quantum Steel Nig Ltd, (Ogun) etc.
Others are, “Sunflag Steel Nig Ltd, (Lagos), Shagamu Steel Nig Ltd, (Ogun), Monarch Steel Mill Nig Ltd, (Ogun),Ife Iron & Steel Nig Ltd, (Osun), Prism Steel Mills Nig Ltd, (Osun),Federated Steel Mills Ltd, (Lagos) etc.
Speaking further Bello highlighted other companies that are into Liquid Steel production as; General Steel Mill Nig Ltd, (Asaba), Bao Yao Huan Jian Iron & Steel Group Ltd, (Cross River), Hong Xing Steel Co, (Lagos), Inner Galaxy Steel Co Ltd, (Abia), Yong Xing Steel Mills Co Ltd., Ajaokuta Steel Co Ltd, (Kogi), Delta Steel Co PLC, (Delta), and Dana Steel Nig Ltd, Katsina (Under NAK).”
He however disclosed that the proposed investment in Kaduna is just a mere minning site, an investment far different and below the existing ones across the nation stressing that the total of the production capacity of the above mentions companies is about 6.5Milion Tons per annum.
Bello therefore warned carriers of uncharitable and unfounded declarations to do due diligence and desist from misleading members of the public in a bid to score cheap and unnecessary sentiment.
