The ministries of Defence and Steel Development on Thursday began talks on how partnership could hastened the production of iron by a section of Ajaokuta Steel Company in support of military hardware and equipment’s production in the country.
Speaking at the meeting at Ship House in Abuja the Minister of State for Defence Dr. Muhammed Bello Matawalle, said Ajaokuta Steel Company will become source of iron to be used for the production of Military hardware locally and with the combined efforts of the two ministries, production will commence soon.
He urged the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana and his Steel and Development counter part Dr. Mary Ogbe to prepare draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to kick start the implementation of the project.
The minister emphasised that federal government was committed to actualizing the light steel mill of the Steel Complex to be able to produce iron which would be used for the production of several military hardware and equipment.
Matawalle disclosed that there had been series of engagements between the two ministries on how to perfect plans for the production of military hardware in Ajaokuta Steel.
According to the minister, the Ajaokuta Steel which was a massive project built over 40 years ago would boost employment generation for Nigerians when the partnership between the two ministries finally revamped a line of the steel complex.
Dr. Matawalle said that besides employment creation, the production of
military hardware in Ajaokuta would boost the nation’s fight against insurgency and other related crimes.
In his remarks, the minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Audu commended the efforts of the two ministries so far on the project and added that the administration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to resuscitating the Ajaokuta plant inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President’s administration.
He said Steel Development ministry would ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Company come on stream soon to play it’s role in the development of nation defence industry.
In attendance at the meeting were the two Ministers, the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, his Steel Development counterpart, Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Sumaila Abdul- Akaba, Director- General of National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Professor Linus Asuquo and some Management Staff of Defence Ministry.