3 weeks ago
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The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuiabu Abubakar says the ministry is exploring concern with the Republic of China for the revitalisation of some Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).
Abubakar disclosed this astatine the opening of the 10th variation of Nigeria’s Mining Week, themed `Nigeria Mining: From Progress to Global Relevance`, connected Tuesday successful Abuja.
He said that successful September 2024, the Federal Government signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with Messrs. Tyazhmashpromexport (TPE), the archetypal builders of ASCL, based successful Russia.
He said the determination was to rehabilitate, complete, and run the works and NIOMCO Itakpe, some successful Kogi State, but the Russia-Ukraine warfare has hindered progress
“Due to constraints arsenic a effect of the Russia – Ukraine war, we are present exploring concern with the Republic of China for the revitalisation of some ASCL and NIOMCO.
“Mr President volition springiness the last support based connected Financial, Managerial and Technical competencies.”
He said that the renewed anticipation docket nether President Bola Tinubu`s authorities had remained resolute successful breaking the astir five-decade jinx of the alloy company`s comatose state.
According to him, the ministry is successful precise precocious discussions with the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to commence accumulation of input materials for subject hardware.
These hardwares, helium said, see rifles, vests, helmets and bullets astatine the Engineering store of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
“This knowing is to enactment the defence assemblage of the Nigeria system for improved security,” helium said.
He said 12 robust ore deposits crossed the state were presently astatine assorted stages of exploration.
Abubakar said its agency, the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Kaduna, identified the 12 deposits and was moving to make the needed assets information to thrust investments successful the sector.
This helium said, was particularly connected Iron Ore, Cokeable Coal and Bauxite.
He said section Steel accumulation successful Nigeria would thrust monolithic section Steel earthy materials depletion from Iron Ore, Limestone, Dolomite, Refractory Clay, Coal among others with its economical benefits.
He urged backstage assemblage participants astatine the league to presumption investments successful the alloy earthy materials worth concatenation arsenic cardinal to unlocking maturation successful the sector.
“We are collaborating with captious stakeholders crossed the Federal Government, particularly our sister Ministry of Solid Minerals Development successful this regard”.
He said that the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the Nigerian Steel Industry for sustainable maturation with accrued overseas nonstop concern would lone beryllium imaginable with sustainable mineral earthy materials supply.
According to him, the robust concern engagements and argumentation alignments for the improvement of strategical minerals similar Iron Ore, Fluxes, Coal and different alloying minerals should spot the Nigerian Steel Industry arsenic a large partner/offtaker.
“The apical absorption of Ministry of Steel Development, its Agencies and manufacture players are contiguous astatine this league and the Federal Government is ever acceptable to supply the required enabling environment,” helium assured.
The station We whitethorn spouse with China to revive Ajaokuta – Minister appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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