Steel Development Minister, Prince Abubakar Audu, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to revive the steel and metals sector.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
He made this known when he visited the African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML), Gujeni Village, Kagarko Local Government Area, of Kaduna State.
Prince Audu hailed the company for its investment in Nigeria and for operating in the country since 1971.
He said the company’s investment has contributed to the economic development of the country, noting that ANRML will play a significant role in the ongoing steel sector revival efforts of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also lauded ANRML for the 900-hectare Iron-Ore mining facility where they invested about $600 million for backward integration to facilitate the production of steel.
The minister said that the vision of the current administration is to ensure that all comatose steel plants become operational and for Nigeria to begin steel production before the end of the tenure of President Tinubu, reiterating his commitments to delivery of the vision of Mr. President.
He said: “It is very clear that this edifice exemplifies the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose plan is to grow the economy to over $1 trillion by 2030.
“Steel is the catalyst for industrialisation, and I commend the Africa Industries Group (AIG) for their important role in taking Nigeria to the next level.
“I am pleasantly surprised you have been doing business since 1971. I appreciate the Group for believing in the country and creating thousands of jobs, employing in excess of 10,000 staff members across the country.
“I am urging the company to invest more to meet our local demand for steel. 10 million metric tonnes are being imported into the country, so this company has a role to play in reversing that trend.
“The President is very serious about turning around the steel industry, including the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe. We have plans to build an industrial park in Ajaokuta that will house a Free Trade Zone and CNG park.
“We need more huge foreign direct investments to reduce pressures on FX and to help us create 80 million jobs in the country under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. So, thank you for making such a huge investment in Nigeria,” Prince Audu said.
The Group Managing Director of Africa Industries Group, Alok Gupta, thanked the Minister for his visit, which shows his support to indigenous companies operating in Nigeria, expressing confidence in the revival of the steel and metals sector under the leadership of the Minister. Mr. Gupta said that the factory is a testament that local validation shows the possibilities of the country.
“I thank you for your pledge to support indigenous companies in Nigeria. We are confident we will see a revival in the Nigerian steel industry. We stand by your commitment to the production of high quality steel in the country,” Gupta said.
At the event were the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Shri G. Balasubramanian, Mr. AAS Oloyede, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs on Tariff and Trade representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Emir of Dnata, James Bitrus Abwaminajiya Sa’dnatayi, and a team from the Ministry of Steel Development, among others.
