By David Agabi
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has reaffirmed his commitment to change the narrative in the Steel sector by the Renew Hope of the present administration.
Hon. Shuaibu stated this during his reception ceremony in Abuja.
The minister while stressing that the President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu want Nigeria to be ranked among other nations of the world, noted that this could be done if the country is industrialised.
According to him”President Tinubu wanted to start the industrial revolution in Nigeria the way it started in Europe in the early 19th century” he affirmed.
He expressed regret that Ajaokuta Steel has been non-functioning 42 years after its establishment, noting that it will be among the first points of call for the ministry to make sure it is turned around to start producing sheets of steel.
“I will meet with the management of Ajaokuta, that is part of our expectation and we believe in two years we should be able to create 30 to sixty thousand jobs in the steel manufacturing sector in the country”.
Speaking further, Shuaibu stressed that the ministry will focus on employing Kogi State youths and by extension other Nigerian youths, pontificating that the renewed hope has come to stay.
The minister admitted that there are other steel companies like Delta Steel, among others across the country but the first to be addressed will be Ajaokuta followed by others because it has to be step by step.
He posited that the President is passionate about the Ajaokuta Steel regarding his commitments during the presidential campaign, hence the intention to keep it.