14 October 2013, Lokoja – Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has appealed to the Federal Government to resuscitate the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in the state.
Wada made the appeal in Geregu at the inauguration of the Geregu 11,434-megawatts power plant, saying the measure was necessary to enable the state to reap maximally from the new power plant.
He also appealed that the National Iron Ore Mining Company, NIOMCO, at Itakpe should also be resuscitated to revitalise economic growth and development in the country.
The governor, who described the completion of the project as a way forward in the nation’s quest for stable power supply, said that it was an excellent investment.
Wada lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for putting the issue of power generation, transmission and distribution in the front burner and thanked him for his support and concern during the 2012 flood disaster that ravaged parts of the state.
The governor appealed that the request by the state for the establishment of a free enterprise zone in Ajaokuta be given speedy consideration.
Mr Michael Lakota, the Managing Director of Siemens Ltd., the contractor that handled the project, said that the plant would play a critical role in the efforts to ensure stable power in the country.
He commended the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, the owner of the project, for the confidence reposed in Siemens throughout the entire project.
Lakota said that the project was completed on schedule.
