By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Ministry’s of Defence and Steel Development are set to partner in the production of Military hardware in a section of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
This is part of discussion during the meeting of Minister of State for Defence Dr. Muhammed Bello and Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu
on the proposed partnership at Ship House, Abuja.
Matawalle said the Federal Government was committed to actualizing the light steel mill of the Steel Complex to be able to produce iron which would be used for the production of several Military hardware and equipment.
He said Ajaokuta Steel would boost employment generation for Nigerians when the partnership between the two Ministries on revamping it comes to fruition.
“Ajaokuta Steel Company will become source of iron to be used for the production of Military hardware locally and with the combined efforts of the two Ministries, production will commence soon,” he said.
Dr. Matawalle said that reinforcing the company to produce Military hardware to full capacity would boost the nation’s fight against insurgency and other related crimes.
In addition, he urged the Permanent Secretaries of both Ministries to come up with a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to kick start the implementation of the project.
In his response, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu commended the efforts of the two Ministers of Defence and added that the administration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR was committed to resuscitating the Ajaokuta plant inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President’s administration.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar kana mni appreciated the Honourable Minister of State for Defence for this good initiatives and promised to work hand in hand with his counterpart at the Ministry of Steel Development for a successful implementation of the MOU for the good of the project.
In attendance at the meeting were the two Ministers, the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni, his Steel Development counterpart, Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Sumaila Abdul- Akaba, Director- General of National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Professor Linus Asuquo and some Management Staff of Defence Ministry.
