The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu revealed that the Federal Government plans to begin production of military hardware at Ajaokuta Steel Mill located in Kogi State. He made this known on Monday during an interview on the Channels Television programme, Politics Today.
According to him, “In addition to restarting light steel mill, we want to produce military hardware in Ajaokuta Steel.
“I have been working closely with Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru and Minister of Works, Senator Umahi to work hand in hand to produce iron rod in Ajaokuta and to produce military hardware capabilities in Ajaokuta.
“Whether it is helmets, whether it is bullets, whether it is vests, whether it is pads for tanks of all shapes and all of those things or rifles ammunitions, we will be able to have the capacity to be able to do that.”
He further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sourcing of money locally to kick-start production at the light mill section of the steel plant, adding that it will cost between 2 to 5 billion dollars to revive the entire Ajaokuta steel complex, with the light steel mill section costing about N35 billion.
The Minister also said, “I think part of the issue is that there has been no political will. This is the first time in our 63-year history since independence that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has created a Steel Ministry.
“He understands the industrial revolution will hinge on the Ministry of Steel. There were some concessions done in the past where concessionaires brought in, didn’t have the skills required to carry out the job, so those were some of the challenges.”
