The Chairperson Senate Committee on Local Content, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, noted plans to kick start the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Company plants in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed this at the ongoing Practical Nigerian Content Forum, organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Bayelsa State.
The Senator said the federal government has located the main constructors of the steel to revamp it and keep it running, and assured that work would commence on the steel company by next year.
“A certain number of MoUs and agreements have been undertaken, and in the first quarter of next year, we are hoping that the Tyajz Prom Export, who are the original builders of the plant, will be on the ground to kick start the revitalization of the steel plant.”
“That means we are setting ourselves, our country, strategically to begin to manufacture the core components and machines that are utilized in the oil and gas sector.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also said breaking new frontiers requires both strategic vision and boldness, adding that the journey ahead may be challenging, but it is essential.
In September, Shuaibu Audu, Minister of Steel Development, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the builders of the Ajaokuta steel plant, Messrs Tyazhpromexport (TPE), for the rehabilitation, completion, and operation of the plant and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO).
