Why we visited Ajaokuta Steel- Senate Committee

The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy, has explained that the decision to visit Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex in Kogi State yesterday, was borne out of the desire of the Senate to support the diversification of the Nation's economy through investment in solid minerals, Agriculture and steel development. 

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, who dropped the hint during an oversight working visit to the complex, noted that the visit was to assess the current state of the Steel Plant.

The Committee commended the management and staff of the Ajaokuta Steel Company for, “their dexterity, commitment and selfless service in ensuring that the giant steel industry in Africa, remained intact and safe from vandalism, even after almost four decades of abandonment.” 

Senator Yahaya, described the abandonment of the steel industry for almost forty years as a monumental waste, lamenting that the neglect of the industry had actually set the country backward in terms of attaining the industrialization target of the country.

Members of the Committee, who were conducted round all the components of the Steel Plant, attested to the fact that 95 percent of the work on ground are ready for the resuscitation plan of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

"We have seen the components of Ajaokuta Steel Company for ourselves, we are happy and glad to say that at least 95 percent of the work done are still in good shape, ready for completion. 

"For almost forty years of neglect, the buildings, the structures and the equipment are still solid as if it was just yesterday the Steel Plant was erected. We have every cause to thank the management and staff of the industry for their commitment that kept this place to the status we have witness today. 

"This feat couldn't have been achieved without the dexterity and diligence of the staff of this Steel Plant. On our part as lawmakers, whatever it will take to revamp this plant, we will not waste time in doing so, because the National Assembly is 100 percent in support of revitalization and commissioning of Ajaokuta Steel Industry and Itakpe Iron Ore", he emphasized. 

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, in his remarks, lamented: “Whoever visits Ajaokuta Steel Company for the first time, would begin to wonder why Nigerians would allow this money spinning giant industry to waste. 

"Everything has its own time and I am sure this is the right time to put this Steel Plant in operation and with the support of God, the President and the National Assembly we will get it right this time"

Earlier, the Sole Administrator of the Steel Plant, Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, in his overview of Ajaokuta Steel Company, said the concept of engineering is universal and the technological application cannot change, but can be improved upon for efficiency. 

He brushed aside the claims that Ajaokuta Steel Plant is obsolete, saying the Steel Plant was established via blast furnace that is still the best technology the world over till date. 

"The steel plant in Ajaokuta is a brand new plant. Therefore, the issue of obsolesces does not exist. The technology of the Steel Plant is basically blast furnace and the major steel productions as at today all over the world uses this technology of blast furnace, because it is simple, it can use low quality iron Ore and highly efficient", he added. 

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