08 October 2013, Lokoja – Mr Eugine Kosic, the President General of Ukrainian National Foreign Economic Corporation, on Tuesday said that the Ajaokuta Steel Company was still intact in spite of long years of neglect.
Kosic said this when he visited the Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, along with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Valery Vasyliev, in his office in Lokoja .
He said that VAZMASH INPEX LLC had shown interest in the resuscitation of the steel plant since 1998.
Kosic assured that with the combination of world experts in the organisation, the Ajaokuta Steel Company would be a reality soon.
He said that the steel plant was still intact in spite of years of neglect and called for the collaboration of government at all levels to make the project a reality.
Mr Valery Vasyliev, the Ukarian Ambassador to Nigeria, called on the Kogi State Government, the primary stakeholders of the steel plant, to work towards the revitalisation of the plant.
He said that Ukraine, the biggest exporter of steel, had the experience to turn around the fortunes of Ajaokuta steel plant.
Mr Attah Achimugu, the Chief Executive of Reprom Nig. Ltd., said that as the technical partner to the steel plant since 2003, the resuscitation of the plant was assured.
Achimugu, described the plant as a viable project, adding that it was not obsolete as being perceived in some quarters.
Mr Yomi Awoniyi said the country would witness a new dawn whenever the Ajaokuta Steel Plant was revived.
He commended the laudable role played by Reprom Nig. Ltd., towards ensuring the smooth take off of the steel plant.
Awoniyi commended the commitment of 10 per cent equity participation of Reprom Nig. Ltd towards resuscitating the steel plant.
He assured of the state government’s support to bring the plant to fruition.
Awoniyi said that the state was fast becoming industrial hub with the recent inauguration of the Geregu power plant.
He said that the biggest cement factory in West Africa was also ongoing to be completed by 2014.
Awoniyi said that the current administration in the state was resolute in making the steel company work.
– NAN
