Nigeria’s problem is lack of goodwill, good managers ― Minister

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite has attributed the lack of progress at Ajaokuta Steel Company to poor cooperation and lack of goodwill by some Nigerian leaders.

According to him: “Money is not our problem. The problem we have is good managers. When you hear billions here and there being stolen or unaccounted for, it is not the problem of money but the good managers.”

Speaking in Abuja during a media interaction on the forthcoming Nigerian Solid Minerals Downstream Workshop, the minister insisted that the major problem in the mining sector was not funding but lack of good managers.

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“And for the past three months, we have been digging and articulating the problems and we are also happy to let the nation know that Mr President has given us his full political backing and is very emphatic about it to ensure that Ajaokuta works, and by the grace of God Ajaokuta Steel company will work,” he assured.

Mr. Adegbite, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr. Sunny Ekozin, said the development of a Nigerian downstream mineral policy, a mineral value chain initiative, would revamp the Ajaokuta Steel Company and effectively harness the vast minerals deposits spread across the 36 states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He lamented that the problem of delays surrounding the completion and functionality of the company was entirely man-made.

“Investors also are not scared to put money as long as they can make money. If you tell them there is money to be made, you will see money coming out. The essence of the workshop is to let investors know there are good mines that you can make fortunes from,” the minister added.