By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of Works, David Umahi has said the federal government was considering to develop over 30,000 kilometers of road from steel wrought that will be produced at Ajaokuta in Kogi state.
He said tapping into the opportunities in Steel Industry would not only creat jobs and wealth for Nigeria’s population, it would also create a global market and encourage industrialization.
Umahi disclosed this after a meeting with the Minister of steel development, Shuaib Audu in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by chief press secretary to the Minister of works, Uchenna Orji, said the Ministry of Steel Development would play a major role in the road infrastructure revolution plan envisioned by Mr President by providing more than 16% of the materials needed for the construction of Nigeria’s roads in concrete pavement.
Umahi revealed that about 35 billion dollars is needed to kick start the project, which he said waiting for the federal government might be difficult.
The statement reads: “How do we reactive Ajaokuta Steel. We are going into concrete road, in this concrete road, about 16 percent of it is from Steel while 30 percent is cement?
“We need a lot of money to start but we decided to face it and God has given us an idea , we need about 35 billion dollars to start . If we start waiting for FG it might become difficult.
“We did Return On Investment (ROI) , the profit we could have made, part of it will go to bank interest ,we are looking at commercial bank but Federal Executive Council has to endorse it. If this could be done it means Mr President is actually living to his words and this is going to be possible.
“Steel industry is the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization and the backbone that stimulates national development and economic boost for the industrial growth of any nation”
Umahi told the Minister of Steel Development that his Ministry would work collaboratively in his efforts of enhancing the potentialities of Ajaokuta Steel Plant- the largest Steel Mill in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu said the interaction was robust and incisive which will bring about restarting steel production at Ajaokuta steel plant.
Audu said, “My mission is a wonderful one , I had a fantastic meeting initiated by the Hon. Minister of Works. We are seriously thinking outside the box to see how we can implement the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. What we came to discuss here is how to restart Steel production at Ajaokuta Steel Plant
