The Federal Ministry of Steel Development has expressed commitment to revitalizing the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL).
The Ministry gave the assurance while reacting to recent media reports concerning the future of ASCL, stressing that the federal government is committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s steel sector, including the full operationalization of ASCL.
The ministry in a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Salamatu Jibaniya, reviewed that a comprehensive technical and financial audit of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant is currently underway.
The Ministry said this audit aims to ensure that all decisions made are transparent, data-driven, and in the best interest of the nation.
The statement reads in parts; “Preliminary findings from the previous technical audit report dated 2018 indicated that the overall status of the Steel Plant is robust, with the exception of normal wear and tear of replaceable parts.
“The report suggested the automation of manual control systems to enhance operational efficiency.
“The Ministry is optimistic that the outcomes of the updated audit will serve as a solid foundation for decisive actions that propel Nigeria’s industrial ambitions forward.
“The Federal Government is resolute in its goal to establish a competitive and modern steel industry that will contribute significantly to national industrialization and infrastructure development”.