By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A Kogi based Human Rights Activist, Chief Haruna Ahmed Osike has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to revive his commitment towards the resuscitation of the ailing Ajaokuta steel industry in the state.
Chief Osike who made the appeal on Tuesday in Lokoja while interacting with Journalists, said since the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic sometimes in March 2020, the enthusiasm of the federal government to revive the moribund steel plant has soared.
“We are worried because President Muhammadu Buhari who developed interest to inject life once again into the steel industry, has been discouraged by the out break of covid-19 and His tenure is fast running stressing the need for the project to be completed and operationalize before the end of the current administration.”
“Many foreigners working in Nigeria are surviving the covid-19 believing that Russian engineers would equally survive the pandemic in Nigeria. So it is dangerous to abandon the project because of the recent pandemic that has comes to stay with us.”
“Honestly, Ajaokuta steel complex still remain the hope of Nigerians in job creation and revenue generation. The possibility of giving Nigerian youth jobs and brighter future can not be achieved without due consideration for the completion of the ailing industry.”
Speaking on the enormous benefits of Ajaokuta steel industry if completed and operationalize, the activist said “It is an open secret that no nation can grow or attain the desired development both technologically and economically without iron and steel.”
“The steel industry will serve as a great foreign exchange to the country and will enable the federal government to engage the teeming unemployed youth and this will invariable reduce youth restiveness and other social vices in the society.” he added.
