Minister distributes 4,000 bags of rice, fertilizer to Kogites

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has distributed 4,000 bags of rice and fertilizer as palliatives to the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

While distributing the bags of rice and fertilizers in the presence of traditional leaders, government officials, key stakeholders across the three Senatorial districts of Kogi State, the Minister explained that the initiative was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at alleviating hunger in the country.

He commended the Youths of the state for abstaining from the recent #Endbadgovernance protest noting that dialogue remains the best option to resolve disputes in the Country.

"We have started seeing some of the benefits that is accrued to you under the renewed hope agenda. We must thank Kogites for eschewing protest and violence and for their support for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration".

He highlighted some of the palliatives Kogites have benefitted in the last one year of President Tinubu. "One of the major things Mr President have been able to do to Kogites under the renewed hope agenda is to be able to provide N50,000 grants to 5000 business owners or persons across the 21 Local Government Areas to support their businesses. 

"These are grants. Meaning that you don't have to pay back. If you look at the N50, 000 that was shared to 5000 People, it amount to about N250,000,000 across the 21 Local Government Area of the State. 

"I have discussed with my colleague, the Minister of Industries Trade and Investment to get an additional allocation of 2,500 additional grants for people so that we can increase the numbers of beneficiaries to 7500. It will also increase the amount from N250,000,000 to N375,000,000.

"During the Ramadan period, Kogites across the three Senatorial districts also benefitted from some of the palliatives the Federal Government shared as part of it renewed hope agenda. We shared almost three thousand bags of rice, groundnut oil, to beneficiaries across Kogi State. 

"Today, we are sharing over 4000 bags of rice and fertilizers to beneficiaries across Kogi State. The beneficiaries includes traditional, political, religious leaders including opposition parties. People across the length of Kogi will benefit. We have the full list that cut across the 239 wards of Kogi State".

Aside the distribution of palliatives to cushion the present economic challenges in the Country, the Minister reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration to revive the moribund Ajaokuta Steel plant in Kogi State.

According to him, "We are working day and night to ensure that Ajaokuta steel plant comes back to life. We have discussed with various stakeholders to this effect. The Government has done rapid assessment on Ajaokuta Steel plant. 

"Recently, some of you have seen Russian engineers who came to the Steel plant to assess the present State of things. It is all part of the revival process. At the end of the day, when we discuss with the various parties, the party that brings the best option will be considered, subject to the approval of Mr. President".

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that the Minister disclosed that his ministry is in advanced discussion to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) with the Ministry of Defence to bring the military industrial complex to Ajaokuta that will create over 10,000 jobs for Kogites and Nigerians.

"Upon me assuming office, over 200 Kogites were engaged in adhoc job opportunities across the Steel industry. The Federal Government want to declare Ajaokuta Steel territory as an industrial park where there will be a CNG park and free trade zone which will make the Ajaokuta Steel Company and Kogi economy to be the industrial hub of the Country that will worth billions of dollars and create over 100,000 jobs for Kogites and Nigerians.

"The last thing we are looking forward to do within the industry is enacting law that will create a regulatory framework for the steel industry so that the over $4billion worth of steel that is being imported into Nigeria is invested.

"We have the raw materials, equipment and facilities to start producing steel. The entire value chain is within our hand. We have to pass various bills through the National Assembly to make all this things work. We are willing to put a ten years road map for the revival of the Steel industry. The steel is not an easy industry to manage. We are here to resolve the problem that has grounded the steel plant for more than 40 years. It will take some time to unravel the solutions" Audu stated.

The Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, thanked the Honourable Minister for the incentives, noting that it will go a long way in bringing succour to the people, praying that Almighty Allah continue to protect the Honourable Minister and give him the wisdom to succeed.

Commrade Stephen Bala Jibrin, Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, described the gesture as very timely, expressing the appreciation of farmers in the state who are in need of fertilisers, especially in the planting season.

“As farmers, we express our heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for recognising Kogi State. We thank the Minister because our association has been fully carried along as beneficiaries.

“The leadership of the association will ensure that the fertilisers get to farmers even at the grassroots. We have local government coordinators, ward coordinators, so we are going to channel the items through them for further distribution.

Miss Ruth Dada, a trader from Kogi, also thanked the Honourable Minister for remembering his own people and reaching out to them.

She said, “He knows there is hunger, and he has the heart of feelings for the masses by doing this, and we pray God will continue to promote him more and more. We also appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for remembering all the people.”

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