As the foremost national civil society coalition advocacy for the revival of Ajaokuta, the Nigeria’s largest steel plant, we commend the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the recent efforts during the visit to Russia..
The group in a statement signed by its coordinator, Mohammed Bougei Attah notes with great commitment the delegation of the federal government to the Russia-Africa Summit in Pittsburgh, under the leadership of Vice president, Sen. Abba Shetima. In particular, we commend the resolution of Nigerian government to revive Ajaokuta as a roadmap to the country’s industrialization as expressed through the vice president and the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry to Mines and Steel Development. It is heartwarming to have a full team from the Ministry and the Sole Administrator of the Steel Company in attendance.
This development coming in less than two months into the Tinubu’s administration is commendable and reassuring.
We however wish to caution against using the Pittsburgh summit as a political tool as recorded during the immediate past administration of President Muhammad Buhari after the Sochi summit of 2019.
Though positive efforts were recorded under Buhari, it is in the best interest of this administration to pursue the goal of reviving the steel plant to conclusion.
The group therefore appeals that the Tinubu administration will revive, restructure and sustain the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team, APPIT with membership from the civil society group.
