The Federal Government is getting ready for the second concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, stated this on Tuesday during an interview with State House correspondents after he and the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, met President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Fayemi said the government had appointed an adviser for the firm and had also appointed a new leadership at the expiration of the tenure of the last.
He added that efforts were on to ensure a solution to the sale of the Aluminium Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi.
The minister said, “The President asked for an update on Ajaokuta and the Aluminium Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi. I came to brief Mr. President on the development to ensure that these companies are back to life.
“I told him about the efforts that Mr. Vice President has been making in ensuring that we have a definitive solution to the sale of Aluminium Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi, and that we also move forward in the resolution and agreement reached on Ajaokuta Steel so that we get ready for the second concession.
“We have appointed an adviser, we have appointed a new leadership there because the term of the last leadership has expired. Those were the things we updated Mr. President on.”
While stating that mineral resources had been contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, Fayemi said his ministry had already exceeded its target for the year.
He added, “Mineral resources have contributed significantly to the GDP and revenue. This year alone, we have exceeded the target given to us.
“If you look at the Bureau of Statistics report, you will see that the two sectors that have contributed immensely to the GDP are agriculture and solid minerals.”
Akeredolu said he used the opportunity of the meeting to ask the Federal Government to take advantage of the natural resources in Ondo State.
He said although the state had a seaport, it needed a deep seaport.
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