President Muhammadu Buhari says the Ajaokuta steel company
is ready to be concessioned to private investors.
Buhari disclosed this while inaugurating several projects in
Kogi on Thursday.
The projects include: the Reference Hospital, Okene; the
newly-built Ohinoyi’s palace, and the Confidence University of Science and
Technology, Osara.
In Lokoja, Buhari inaugurated the Ganaja flyover bridge, the
Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, and the GYB Model Science Secondary School,
Adankolo.
He lauded Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, for his
performance in the areas of security and project execution in the state, and
also for following his government’s vision of bringing democratic benefits to
the citizens.
Buhari said he was inaugurating projects in the state to
fulfill campaign promises the governor made to the people of Kogi state.
“I have been briefed by governor Yahaya Bello of the
numerous projects he has executed for the people which include: Confluence
University of Science and Technology at Osara, Rice mill in Ejiba, hospitals in
Idah, Kabba, and Okene, construction of roads in the three senatorial
districts, GYB model secondary schools among others,” he said.
“In Lokoja there is a
flyover project, the first of its kind in Kogi since the state’s creation”.
Buhari further pointed out that the state is hosting the AKK
gas pipeline projects that would be completed next year.
He added that the project would help boost the economic
activities of the country, saying the multiplying effect on the people of the
state remains unquantifiable.
AJAOKUTA STEEL
COMPANY READY FOR CONCESSIONING
Buhari said no project was closer to his heart than the
Ajaokuta steel company in Kogi state, which he noted was inherited in a
moribund state from previous governments.
“I am glad to say
that through our concerted effort we are able to settle the dispute by paying
some money and the company is now ready for concessioning to competent private
investors that will operationalise it for the people of Kogi state and
Nigerians at large,” he said.
“We are in talks with a reputable company in the United
States and by God’s grace Ajaokuta will very soon come back to serve the people
of Nigeria.
“The significance of making Ajaokuta steel work again is
enormous as it will generate over 500, 000 jobs for Nigerian youth and also
generate high revenue for the state and the country to the tune of over $1.6
billion annually.
“Nigerians should be
rest assured that my administration will pursue the issue of Ajaokuta steel
company to logical conclusion before I leave office as president of Nigeria”.
“I am impressed by the performances of governor Yahaya
Bello, he has done very well in the area of security and project execution in
Kogi state.
“We are proud of him
and we urged him to do more for the people and I am appealing to the people of
Kogi state to support him so that he can achieve and deliver more dividends of
democracy and achieve peace and
development of the state.”
While the steel company has been moribund for years,
Olamilekan Adegbite, minister of mines and steel development had said 11
companies were involved in the concession bid for Ajaokuta plant.
Also speaking at the inauguration, Bello said: “Mr.
President we hit the ground running and you told me to be courageous in
leadership and how to bring out my best and today the projects is an
attestation of our best to the people of Kogi state.
“I followed your footsteps in ensuring that projects and
infrastructures that have direct impact on the people.”
Bello appealed for the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company,
adding that no country can achieve industrialisation without iron and steel.
“We are still confident that your effort toward
revitalisation of the steel company will still be achieve before the expiration
of the your tenure,” he said.
KOGI EXPLOSION
Meanwhile, an explosion rocked a community in Okene LGA of
Kogi state on Thursday morning.
The incident was said to have occurred at a mosque near the
palace of Ado Ibrahim, the paramount ruler of Ebiraland.
At the time of the incident, Buhari was in the area to
inaugurate the projects.
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