The Bureau of Public Enterprises has restated the Nigerian government’s determination to make Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited fully operational.
The director-general, Alex Okoh, said this in a statement signed by the Head, Public Communications, AminaOthman, in Abuja last week.
Mr Okoh spoke when he led a team on a fact-finding visit to Ajaokuta complex.
He said the visit was to avail the team the opportunity to physically inspect the complex and get first-hand information on issues affecting the plant.
“I wish to state the willingness of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to resolve the on-going legal issues between the Federal Government and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited.
“The government is also desirous to see that ASCL is completed and made operational with the support of the National Assembly, the management of ASCL and other stakeholders,” he said.
According to him, the team also inspected some major plants, installations and facilities in the complex.
He listed some of the facilities visited to include the Blast Furnace, Light Section Mill, Wire Rod Mill, Medium Section and Structural Mill.
Others are the Thermal Power Plant, Lime Plant, Machine and Tools Shop, Water In-take Plant, rail tracks and road network.
He said the team verified and confirmed the management’s claim that many of the machines in the respective units were in good condition and would only require minor repairs to operate effectively.
The team, which comprised the chairman, House Committee on Steel, Abdullahi Ibrahim, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, ImehOkon, also observed that the status of ASCL plant was not as dilapidated as assumed generally, but that the plant was rather in a reasonably operational state.
