By Ahmed Adoke
The dream of Nigeria to have a reliable steel industry that will not only form the bedrock of the country’s industrialization, but also place her in a competitive position with her counterparts worldwide led the Federal Government to come up with the idea to restructure its priorities, thus culminating in the establishment/take off of, of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Delta Steel Company Limited Aladja, Jos Steel rolling mills, Inland Rolling Mills in Osogbo, Katsina Rolling Mills and the Nigeria Machine Tools Limited also in Oshogbo.
It is unfortunate that most of these steel projects are today liquidated and under lock and key. The Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, the largest steel industry in Africa and third in the world remains moribund and yet to see the light of the day because its final completion has become a political issue with successive governments.
Part of several failed efforts by past administrations to fix this integrated steel plant and give a boost to the country’s industrialization drive gave birth to the idea to concession the steel project, thus leading to the signing of dual concession agreements at various times between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Solgas Energy Ltd and Global Infrastructure Holdings Ltd, under President Olusegun Obansajo’s administration.
Expectedly, this untidy move further held down the process of actualizing the interest of Nigeria to be the steel giant of Africa, until the coming of the administration of President Umar Yaradua who set up machinery to review the concession agreement and set the project back on track.
Today, it is interesting to learn that all legal issues that trailed the review of the concession agreement have finally been resolved by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Kudos to the presiden5 for the deserving reappointment of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
It is also heart-warming to note the efforts of the Buhari administration in the area of the completion of the Itakpe – Warri – Ajaokuta rail project for the movement of goods/services and people.
There is no doubting the fact that it is for the above reasons and the belief that the steel project will get a head way under President Buhari’s government that Nigerians and the people of Kogi State in particular voted massively voted for President Buhari for a second term in office
However, of serious concern to this writer is the recent notion in some quarters that the present administration has listed Ajaokuta steel company as one of the state – owned outfits to be disposed of. This unpopular opinion was given credence to by the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria recently.
Some critics of the Buhari administration even claimed that the completion of the steel project is far from Buhari’s heart, adding that it accounted for the president’s casual comments about the project when he came on campaign visit to Kogi State before the last general elections.
However, while this negative opinion persists, both chambers of the 8th National Assembly towards the end of its tenure passed a resolution for the government to remove ASCL/NIOMCO Itakpe from the list of outfits billed for privatization and recommended that government should put $1 billion for the completion of the steel plant.
Sad enough, this lofty proposal of the 8th National Assembly was rejected by President Buhari on the ground that the recommendation did not have the imput of relevant organs, such as the ministry of power and steel.
No doubt, the 8th Senate and the House of Representatives must have thoroughly considered various options, before choosing the option of completing the steel plant, in order to make it not only fully operational, but also attain the goals of making Nigeria the steel giant of Africa.
The above action of both chambers of the National Assembly summarises the wish of Nigerians on the issue of Ajaokuta steel project. Therefore, what Nigerians are waiting for is for President Muhammadu Buhari to “reconsider” and assent to the resolution of the immediate past National Assembly by releasing the appropriated funds for the completion of the steel plant.
Even though it has been argued in some quarters that the problem militating against the completion of the steel plant borders on international politics, the deficiency in the capacity of the leadership of the country and the inefficiency in the civil service/management of the facility itself, has compounded the problems of the company.
This writer is of the strong opinion that to a large extent, situations determine the operations or direction of a government.
In my opinion, the Buhari leadership or administration is not one that would rush or make a fire brigade approach about ssues, which is why during his first tenure he has carefully chosen to tackle three major challenges of insecurity, corruption and job creation facing Nigeria. He believes that the country needs cleansing to allow for a proper growth.
As an optimist, my hope is that with the second coming of President Buhari for another four years, he will lift the country to the next level of development and industrial growth.
Whereas some critics have variously described President Muhammadu Buhari as not too good in the management of the country’s economy, some said he lacks the political will to tackle the industrial growth of the country, but in my candid view, no reasonable leader will not wish the development of his/her country well.
As reasonable followers too, what our leaders expect is our support, by way of good suggestions/advice. Both the leader and followers must resist the temptation of trivializing and politicizing issues.
It is therefore my candid opinion that the President should use the opportunity of his second coming to lay the foundation for the industrial growth of the country, by ensuring that Ajaokuta Steel Project is fully completed and become operational.
“By so doing, the president would have proved that Nigeria’s progress is not tied to foreign dictates, but also capable of managing the economy of the country”.
First, President Buhari should jettison the idea of privatizing ASCL/NIOMCO Itakpe by aligning himself with the resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the need to complete Ajaokuta steel project in line with the wishes of Nigerians.
This is because records have shown that public utilities like N.E.P.A, NITEL AND others privatized by past administrations did not bring about the expected improvement or positive result in terms of economic gains and services. Rather, the exercises enriched the various individuals/management of the utilities so privatized to the disadvantage of the public.
Apart from the fact that the completion of Ajaokua steel project will lead to the industrialization of the country and by extension enable the country to attain economic viability, the project when completed will generate mass employment for the citizens; reduce joblessness and crime in our society.
To demonstrate commitment, the President should direct the ebullient Minister of Mines and Steel, Hon. Olamilekun Adegbite to reaccess the current condition of the steel plant and report to him (President) before Mr. President pays a working visit to the steel plant with a view to having a personal assessment of the gigantic project wasting away.
Apart from assenting to the resolution of the National Assembly on the steel project, the President should come out with a reform in the supervising ministry in order to ensure that professionals are given the opportunity to manage the steel company.
Happy enough, with the constitution of the Federal executive council via the appointment of ministers coupled with the 9th National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Dr. Ahmed Lawan that seems ready to work on the same page with the Executive, efforts must be made to ensure the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company and the development of the Steel Industry in Nigeria.
In this regards, this writer who has interacted with First Republic leaders, the military leaders all through Nigeria Civil War 1967 – 1970 applauds the choice of the new Sole Administrator of ASCL, Engr. Ismail Abdul-Akaaba who has brought life back to the steel territory on assumption of office.
It is our conviction that with every necessary support, the steel plant can grow under the supervision of the new Sole Administrator and move to the next level in line with President Buhari’s second term agenda.
Ahmed Adoke writes from Kogi State and
can be reached at [email protected]