FG Partners China on Ajaokuta Steel Plant Building Military Hardwares
By David Onuoja, Abuja
Nigerian Armed Forces will soon have a relief as the Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with China Republic, has agreed to Partner in the production of Military Hardwares in Ajaokuta Steel Plant.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu who stated this in a press release signed by the head, Press & Public Relations Department of the Ministry, Salamatu F. Jibaniya said, as part of efforts to industrialise Nigeria through the steel industry, the Federal Government has commenced discussions with renowned Chinese Company, Luan Steel Holding Group to build a new Steel Plant in Nigeria and commence the building of military hardwares in Ajaokuta Steel Plant.
This, the statement said, formed the crux of the visit by a delegation of the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr. Mary A Ogbe in their tour of Luan Steel Holding Group in Hefei and Guangzhou Regions of China.
According to Prince Audu, “the trip to China is one of the steps being taken to realise the goals of reviving the Steel Industry in Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope’ Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Work has commenced to create an operational Steel Industry that would attract billions of dollars of foreign direct investments into the country, open up the nation’s economy, and create hundred of thousands of job opportunities, which form the core of the renewed hope agenda.
“Building Military Hardwares in Ajaokuta Steel Plant is also timely, considering the security challenges facing Nigeria; and again, the hardwares will help in the fight against insecurity and terrorism.
“We had a very meaningful discussions with the Chairman of Luan Steel Holding Group, Mr Wang Jianbing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr Xiao Weizhan, and other senior Executives of the Luan Steel Holding Group.
“Like several other international and local investors, Luan Steel Holding Group has indicated interest in setting up a new Steel Plant in Nigeria, as well as handling a component of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for building military hardwares in Nigeria.
“The Minister of Defence and I, led this delegation, which includes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, Sole Administrator/Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, to enable us have a first-hand look at the Luan steel plants before arriving at a decision”, he said.
