Steel key to diversification efforts of FG – NASENI

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Haruna, has said that the diversification of Nigeria’s economy can not be effective without adequate development of the steel sector.

Prof. Haruna stated this at the retreat of newly constituted National Steel Council,(NSC) held in Abuja, yesterday.

He explained that the steel sector is supposed to the backbone of the nation’s economy but has missed its place due to lack of adequate regulations .

According to Prof Haruna the constitution of the National steel council to function forty years after establishment is the best that the present administration has done for the sector and economy.

He was optimistic that Ajaokuta steel would be revived with the reconstitution of the council.

” The most important part is the locality and also that Nigerians in diaspora have to be used because no one else can develop our sector for us. Lack of this council has left the steel sector directionless.

“The steel plant complex has highly sophisticated assemblage of 43 different plants made up of a web of complex iron, cable and machinery of different sizes and functions. Out of the 43 plants, 40 are already completed and can produce independently.

Ajaokuta steel has the capacity to become a major producer of industrial machineries, auto-electrical spare-parts, shipbuilding, railways and carriages.”

Prof Haruna, therefore called on Nigerians in diaspora to come home and join hands in the development of the country.