Press Statement
by Isah Hussein
The Civil Society Organization (CSO) Coalitions on Ajaokuta Steel Revival has congratulated President Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu on the Russia-Africa Summit and the India Foreign Direct Investment Partnership with Nigeria.
The group expressed satisfaction with recent developments in the steel sector, particularly, the President’s current visit to India for the G20 World leaders meeting.
This is as it’s contained in a release made available by the group during the weekend.
Earlier last month, noted the group, President Tinubu sent a high powered delegation, led by the Vice President, Sen. Bukar Abba Shetima to the Russia-Africa Summit where Ajaokuta Steel Revival was the main point of the visit.
‘We salute, the statement reads; the “Can Do Spirit” of President Tinubu and celebrate his achievements in just three months in office.
“The President in a single stroke has brought great fortune to Nigeria with US$14bn pledge of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nigeria.
“We look forward to his future visits to the UN General Assembly later this month, to the US and other Industrialized Nations in the coming months and hope that Ajaokuta revival continue to take Centre stage.
Our immediate shared fortune is the pledged of US$3bn by Jindal Steel and Power of India, the group noted.
“The Coalition trustfully hope, that this will bring upliftment to the long-term aspiration of the Nigerian Civil Society movement to see Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills, a project that was abandoned at 95% completion stage since 1994, working again.
The group commends the President for creating a new Ministry of Steel Development as a stand alone and for appointing a son of the soil in person of Prince Abubakar to head the Ministry.
“There is the need, continued the statement, to inspire and promote personal and collective responsibility towards ensuring the growth, development and sustainability of the steel sector of the country.
“Every Nigerian has a lot to benefit from this sector. Apart from the production of iron, steel, other valuable products that will be available in the course of operation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant will for instance includes about 110MW electricity, hydrogen, 35000 cubic meter of oxygen per hour, nitrogen, argon, coke oven gas, sulphuric acid, and many more.
“We are aware that major industrialised nations do not want Nigeria to achieve her STEEL goal, which will also bring numerous forms of multiplier effects on the economic of the country, but the table must turn at this time in favour of Nigeria and Africa.
We thank Mr. President, the statement concluded, for taking this swift initiative towards Nigeria industrialisation, as we pray this tenure brings incompressible fortunes to Nigeria and for every Nigerian.
Signed:
- Mohammed Bougei Attah
National Coordinator
Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative, Abuja - Otunba Dele Ajayi-Smith
President, Africa Citizens Development Foundation, Lagos - Barr. Clifford Thomas
Executive Director
Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights, and Development Advancement, Uyo
