…mulls production of CNG bus parts in Itakpe
By Gabriel Ewepu
ITAKPE- THE Federal Government, Friday, assured Nigerians of giving life to National Iron and Ore Company, NIOMCO, after 40 years.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, while on tour of the multi-million Dollar iron and ore complex in Itakpe, Kogi State.
Audu said NIOMCO is a priority to the Tinubu-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and will ensure it works under his tenure.
While on inspection of the assets of the company, the Minister said his Ministry will ensure the declaration of industrializing Nigeria is achieved as a mandate given to him and the Ministry by the President.
He said: “Certain things have to be done to initiate steel production in Nigeria; trying to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Itakpe Iron and Ore Mining Company.
“These are multi-billion Dollar facilities and multi-billion Dollar steel plants we have in Kogi State for the benefit of Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, he (Audu) recalled that the President promised rolling out thousands of CNG buses that would be powered by gas and distributed to Nigerian workers in both private and public sectors.
He said in the Ministry’s 2024 budget, a recommendation for production of the gas cylinders will be made in order for them to be produced in Itakpe.
“What I have seen here in Ajaokuta shows that gas cylinders for the CNG plant can be made here in Itakpe.
Itakpe has a significant role to play in the renewed hope agenda of Mr President.
“We are going to write a budget and the budget that will be hopefully approved by the National Assembly and ultimately signed by Mr President would have a provision to upgrade some of the plants in Itakpe to enable produce some of the gas cylinders’ components for the CNG buses”, he added.
Ajaokuta Steel Coy can’t be relevant in steel market without NIOMCO – Sole Admin
Earlier, the Sole Administrator of NIOMCO, Augustus Nkechika, stated that Ajaokuta cannot be relevant in the steel market without the National Iron Ore Mining Company, NIOMCO.
Nkechika also lamented the condition of the company and, therefore called for serious and deep attention from the government to ensure the place is resuscitated in terms of infrastructure and technology along with Ajaokuta Steel Company.
He also pointed out other challenges including a declining and aging workforce; capacity building; security; and stakeholder engagement.
However, the Sole Administrator expressed optimism that with the visit of the Minister NIOMCO will come alive as he was hopeful that, “We can overcome the challenges and forge a brighter future for the steel industry in Nigeria.”
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