5 million new jobs underway as FG moves to revive Ajokuta steel company - Uche Ogah * Hints of plans to set up gold refinery

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5 million new jobs underway as FG moves to revive Ajokuta steel company – Uche Ogah

* Hints of plans to set up gold refinery

By Steve Oko

The Minister Of State for Mines And Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, has said that at least 500,000 direct jobs would be created when the plan by the Federal Government to revitalise Ajokuta Steel Rolling Mill is fully actualised.

Ogah added that additional 4.5 million indirect jobs were also targeted in the project, thus bringing the total number of new jobs to be created to 5 million.

The Minister made the revelation when he received in audience the Executive Members of the Economic Strategic Growth And Development Initiative Of Africa (ESGADIA), led by Chairman Of the Board, Prof Patrick Lumumba; and Maazi Obinna Agommuo, the Founder and Executive Director.

Ogah who lamented that the mining sector had taken the back bench in the revenue window of the country, said plans were on top gear to revive Ajokuta rolling mill.

He said the current leadership of the Ministry was fully committed “to make it happen because it will be part of President Muhammadu Buhar’s legacy.”

His words, ” Ajaokuta when back on stream will create 500 000 direct jobs, in addition to 10 draftsmen required to work with each operator on the metallurgical machines.

” This will bring the total number of those to be employed to over five million. This will be strategic to meeting the mandate given to ministers by President Muhammadu Buhari to create hundred million jobs in the next ten years “

He also said “we have a plan to establish gold refinery, ensure standards in the sector amongst other things we will have tackle”.

Lamenting the decline of the mining sector and the need to ensure standardisation, Ogah said “the focus is to reduce the exportation of raw minerals and to begin to make them into finished goods.”

The Minister assured of the determination of the current leadership of the Ministry to ensure global best practices in the industry.

He commended the staff of the ministry for their willingness to assist the Ministers to succeed.

Ogah further revealed some strategies being put in place by the Ministry to reposition the mining sector.

He said the current leadership of the Ministry was determined to restore the sector to its former enviable position in the revenue profile of the country.

Some of the plans, he said, were aimed at making the Ministry Of Mines And Steel Development the Star Ministry of President Muhammadu Buhar’s administration.

The Minister further said the new strategies would help to create millions of jobs for Nigerian youths.

According to a press release by his Media Adviser, Mr. Great Imo Jonathan, Ogah told his visitors “of the determination of his Minister colleague, whom he refers to as “My Brother”, to put everything in place to aid their plan.”

Earlier in his remarks, Prof Patrick Lumumba said that they were at the Ministry to present Ogah with research materials relating to the sector and to seek collaboration with the Ministry.

Contributing, Maazi Obinna Agunmuo, the Founder and Executive Director said that “Mines And Steel Development sector is the future of Nigeria’s development and key to housing development in away that the minerals needed for cheap cement production are within this ministry’s purview.”

He lamented the high cost of cement when the opportunity exist for cheaper production that could lead to price fall below a thousand naira.

Agummuo informed the Minister of a plan by ESGADIA to attract investors in cement production who may be willing to establish factories in six geopolitical zones of the federation and as well make housing cheaper and help reduce the twenty five million housing units deficit.

He also supported the Minister’s view on the need to establish gold refinery and other products processing plants within the sector, which will create jobs for Nigerian youths and bring more revenue into the coffers of the federation.

End

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.