In a bid to harness the nation's steel for economic growth and achieve it's mandate of revitalising the nation's Steel Sector to meet both local and international consumption, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu who is on a Two-Day Working tour of KAM Holding Ltd to encourage them as well as address pertinent challenges they may be facing, disclosed that the Ministry, under his watch, will actualise the revival of the Steel Sector and make it work.
During his courtesy visit to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq in Ilorin, Kwara State on Tuesday 7th May 2024, Prince Audu noted that the "Renewed Hope Agenda" of the Present Administration is committed towards ensuring that the nation's steel sector begin to work and utilized to revitalise the economy for the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.
The Minister expressed the Ministry's willingness to support indigenous Steel Companies across the country to produce optimally to meet both local and international consumption. He said "we are here to show support to indigenous Steel Companies that can help provide millions of jobs for Nigerians. The Steel Sector when properly harnessed, can provide large scale jobs for the people and industrialize the country".
He further noted that aside from wooing foreign investors, the Ministry is committed to helping the indigenous companies grow to meet international best standards, adding that it was high time we ensured that "Nigeria is working for Nigerians"
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of Nigeria's Governors' Forum, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaw, noted that the Minister's visit shows his commitment towards attaining the mandate of the Ministry. He noted that the visit will afford the Minister to get the true facts in moving the sector forward.
The Governor entreated the Ministry to consider KAM Holding Ltd should it need the input of an indigenous Steel Company to partner in the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company, adding that making Ajaokuta work is the albatross that would untie industrialization of the country. He said, "without getting the Steel Sector right, Nigeria cannot be industralized".
In her welcome address, the Vice Chairman, Kam Holding Ltd, Dr. Iyadunni Bolanle Yusuf, revealed that in the past, the Steel Sector was dominated by foreign owned companies until KAM Holding Ltd came on the scene, noting that KAM Holding Ltd is home to manufacturing companies of Liquid, Iron and Steel Products that are wholly owned by Nigerians.
Dr. Iyadunni Bolanle Yusuf appealed to the Ministry to ensure it protects the indigenous Steel manufacturing sector as it plays a critical role in the growth and development of the country by providing materials for building infrastructures, automobiles, engineering, defense as well as being the bedrock of industrialization.
The Minster also paid a courtesy visit on the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
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