The Minister of State, Ministry of Steel Development, Mr. Uba Ahmadu, has said that the untapped mineral resources hold the threshold of potential prosperity for the country.
He added that the pursuit of steel raw materials was not merely an industrial endeavour but a cornerstone of progress, solid foundation for infrastructure, innovation, and national development.
The Minister also pledged its readiness to ensure it bequests a legacy of a developed and functional Steel Sector to Nigerians for economic growth, development and a thriving future.
Ahmadu, gave the hint during a one – day familiarisation tour of the National Steel Raw materials Exploration Agency, (NSRMEA), in Kaduna State.
The Minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe, stated that the crucial role the steel sector plays in the industrialisation of any nation, emphasised the pivotal role of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency.
According to him, the untapped resources of the country, holds the threshold of potential prosperity. “NSRMEA dedication to exploration, innovation, and sustainable mining practices holds the key to unlocking the nation’s treasures and assured of the Ministry’s commitment and support to enhance, and propel the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency forward.”
He however said that with the backing of the federal government, the Ministry aims to foster partnerships, invest in research, and encourage a thriving ecosystem that enables the sustainable development of the nation’s mineral resources.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Mary A Ogbe, stressed the Ministry’s commitment to ensure that the Steel Sector is revived and made to function optimally.
Ogbe in her remarks, maintained that the Ministry has capable Ministers who are geared towards delivering on their mandate even as she solicited the support of all stakeholders to put in their best efforts to achieve the comeback of the sector.
Earlier in his address, the DG/CEO, National Steel Raw materials Exploration Agency, (NSRMEA), Kolawole Ogunbiyi, disclosed that the Obi- Lafia Coal in Nasarawa State needed to be fully developed for it to be economically minable.
He noted that in-seam exploration has to be carried out to determine the feasibility of mining the coal resources and bulk sampling for pilot testing and laboratory tests and analysis to enable the Agency ascertain the suitability of the coal for use to feed the Ajaokuta Steel coke ovens.
Ogunbiyi disclosed that if the Steel Sector is given optimal attention, domestic steel production will gradually replace foreign imports of steel which will help in shoring foreign reserves for the country.
He appealed to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Steel Development, to provide a Special Intervention Fund to complete the Obi-Lafia coal project.
He reiterated that if the coal project is fully developed, it would help to reduce the importation of cooking coal.