Honourable Members,  I consider it a great opportunity to once again be invited to contribute to the discussion on the way forward to complete and operationalise the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.  My discussions will focus on the following:

This topic in my opinion is fundamental to industrialization of any nation.  Without a very well articulated strategy for capacity building in design and fabrication of process equipment and plants for small and  medium enterprises,  a nation will not only remain under developed,  it will continue to remain an exporter of  raw materials and human capital.  Industry multiplies a nation’s wealth.

THE story of Delta Steel Company Owvian-Aladja is undoubtedly one that leaves a sour taste in the mouth of everybody especially the stakeholders. Delta Steel plant, commissioned in 1982 was to usher Nigeria into the league of steel producing countries, an inevitable stepping stone to industrialisation, national development, self-reliance and self-determination as steel has become one of man’s most important technological materials after the First and Second World Wars. With its application cutting across industries and every conceivable aspect of human endeavour such as bridges, high rise buildings and theatres, automobiles, railways, ocean liners, and aircrafts, electrical and electronic equipment, farm tools and tractors, home appliances, food containers and a vast number of products that are used in offices, schools, homes, hospitals and for recreation, steel imports into Nigeria annually will be on the rise from the average USD 3.3 billion.