BY FRANCIS KADIRI, ABUJA
In order to actualize President Bola Tinubu Eight-Point agenda of ‘Renewed Hope,’ the Ministry of Steel Development says it will open new vistas for global cooperation in the sector, adding that it will help to achieve the highly desired industrial revolution of the country.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, who gave the assurance during his facility tour of the National Iron Ore Mining Company Limited, Itakpe, Kogi State, applauded the President for creating the new Ministry which is solely focused on Steel Development.
While saying that steel development was critical to the realization of the Fourth Industrial Revolution of the country, Audu said that implementing President Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda would take advantage of the potential of the steel sector to create jobs, eradicate poverty, attract foreign direct investment and tackle insecurity.
He said the goals are achievable if Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the National Iron Ore Mining Company Limited, Itakpe are resuscitated.
According to the Minister, Itakpe has iron ore deposits that can feed Ajaokuta Steel Plant for years, adding that reviving Ajaokuta and Itakpe are crucial to realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
While saying that some components of the CNG gas cylinders can be produced in Ajaokuta, the Minister assured that his Ministry would send a recommendation to the President, seeking approval for Ajaokuta to begin to produce some components that would be used for the production of CNG cylinders.
According to him, the local production of the components would reduce the cost of installing CNG gas cylinders.
The Sole Administrator, National Iron Ore Mining Company Limited, A.C Nkechika, emphasized the need for Nigeria to be part of the huge demand for iron ore market in Africa, adding that the visit of the Minister, soon after he assumed office, was an indication that Nigeria was on an upward trajectory to bringing the Renewed Hope Agenda to the people.
Nkechika however noted that some critical issues needed to be addressed for the country to fully harness the immense potentials that can be derived from the steel sector.
Executive Chairman, Okene Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare Ozovehe said the development of the steel industry in the country would help to curb insecurity in the community and environs.
He solicited the Federal Government’s support to ensure that the host communities are carried along, adding that the people of Itakpe are peace-loving.
In another development, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Osita Ngwu, says his Committee would give necessary support to the Mining Cadastre Office toward maximizing the mandate success of the Agency and ensuring holistic development of the sector.
Ngwu, who gave the assurance during his familiarization visit to the Agency, recently, acknowledged continuous rise in revenue generated by the Agency and the sector.
He acknowledged the professionalism of the Legal and ICT units of the Agency for “doing a good job,” saying that the agency will migrate to “plus plus.”
He commended the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office for its migration to electronic mining cadastre, a milestone that is in line with global best practices, adding that the administration of President Tinubu is serious in developing the economy through the minerals sector.
He stated, “My visit here is to familiarize myself with the Agency and not to ask questions because we are still studying what is going on and looking at the policy direction of the government, the government has to direct, ours is to support, oversight and put up legislative framework to make sure that the government succeeds.”
He said his Committee would ensure that the set goals for the sector are realized, adding that there was a need for stakeholders to work together despite challenges facing the sector.
He stated, “One thing for sure is that we are going to completely look at the system together such that we look at the challenges.
The Director-General of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Simon Nkom, who made a Power-Point presentation to the visiting committee members, said that the mandate of the Agency is to grant mining licenses across the country, adding that MCO is the only legal way for the mining industry.
Nkom explained that MCO is made up of multi–disciplinary professionals, adding that the technical departments consist of mining engineers, geologists and surveyors among others.
He said major reforms such as migration to a web-based online (real time mineral title administration system) has led to an increase in the confidence of investors in the sector.
He explained that organizational structure and establishment of full operational Zonal Offices in six geopolitical zones has also boosted the efficiency of the organization.
The Director-General stated, “We have an organizational structure and we have the Zonal Offices in six geopolitical zones with various departments and staff with different functions.”
He said since inception, the Agency has enjoyed nearly 100% success in litigation, adding that the Legal Unit played a key role in the victories.
“Our Legal Unit is very strong because wherever there is wealth, there are always challenges, and people would usually go to court. So far, we have a series of litigations and irrespective of that, we have nearly 100 per cent success in litigations,” he said.
The Director-General solicited the assistance of the National Assembly in order to improve the Mining Cadastre Office and transform the mining sector.