Metal Industry
Metal Industry Operators Hails FG for Repositioning
Metallurgical Sector
Operators in the Metal Industry has applauded effort of the
Federal Government in reviving the Minerals and Metals sector of
the economy saying that it is the pathway to industrial development
of the country.
The stakeholders made the assertion while commenting on paper
presentations made at the 2nd Nigeria Metallurgical Industry
Stakeholders’ Forum (MISF) organized by Ministry of Mines and Steel
Development, for operators in the industry in North East
geopolitical zone in Bauchi, Bauchi State on August 18 – 19,
2020.
In addition, they said government should continue to
partner stakeholders in the industry with a view to contributing to
policies to enhance the sector.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mr.. Edet
Akpan, said that the forum was to provide opportunity for
stakeholders in the industry to interact and contribute to efforts
of government towards repositioning the sector heard towards
economic recovery n the era of COVID 19 pandemic.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by Director, Special
Duties, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olayinwole
Adebayo, said the theme of the forum, “COVID 19 Pandemic: Impact
and way forward for economic recovery and growth through value
addition in the Minerals and Metals sector, is in tandem with the
post COVID 19 strategic plan for economic recovery of the present
administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
In his words, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the steel
and other metals development have unarguably remained the bedrock
of industrialisation, sustainable growth and development of
nations, hence the present administration of President Muhammudu
Buhari is poised now than ever to create enabling environment for
metallurgical operators and all other allied metal outfits in
the sector towards generating employment, creating wealth and
reducing poverty. “
He said the Ministry has articulated strategies and activities
for the development of the metallurgical sector with a view to
taking it to where we should be, including repressing the Nigerian
Metallurgical Industry Bill for passing and assent, liaising with
Nigeria Custom and Service towards curbing incessant dumping of
substandard steel and other metal products in Nigeria, as well as
export of banned scrap metals, and building confidence with private
Metallurgical plants operators in the country among others.
In his remarks, Special Assistant to the Honourable
Minster, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development,r. Sunny Ekozin,
said the Ministry is fortunate to have patriots in its leadership –
the Honourable Minister, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite and Honourable
Minister of State, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, who are passionate and
committed to take the bull by the horn in reviving the Minerals and
Metals sector.
He said the Ministry under their leadership, are outing in place
strategies to develop the entire gamut of the sector, both upstream
and downstream. Specifically, he said the Ministers have ensured
that the Nigerian Metallurgical Industry Bill come to reality. Also
that a policy document on the entire downstream value addition is
being prepared to be presented to the Federal Executive
Council.
He urged operators in the Industry, especially those in the
North East, to partner with the Ministry and support efforts of
government, saying that in the next two years the sector will turn
around for the better.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, African Iron and
Steel Association, ASIA, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, noted that the effort
of government to reposition the Metallurgical sector is in the
right direction, especially the Government to Government
arrangement with Russia to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company,
saying that if completely carried out will give impetus to metal
industries development in the country.
Timothy Akpoili
AD (Press)
For: Director (Press)