Tinubu’s administration committed to revitalising Ajaokuta Steel coy — new MD/CEO

The newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, has assured that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration is firmly committed to the completion and full operation of the moribund steel plant.

Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam stated this at the auditorium of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant when he formally assumed office as the substantive MD, following the tenure of two previous sole administrators appointed by the last administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the affairs of the company.

Prof. Nasir maintained that his dream has always been for the company to become operational, emphasising that the present administration is committed to making a difference, as the company is central to the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing the management and staff of the company shortly after a management meeting, the MD praised their commitment and resilience over the last forty years, stating that the management and staff must work together to achieve the desired progress.

According to Prof. Nasir, the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to ensure that the company becomes operational, with assurances of support. He noted that this task can only be realised if the staff redouble their efforts and provide the necessary support.

The Managing Director stated that, in his determination to hit the ground running, measures would soon be put in place for immediate capacity building for management and staff, assuring equal treatment for all.

He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, for the support that facilitated his appointment, promising not to disappoint the confidence reposed in him by the President.

In his remarks, the House of Representatives member representing Ajaokuta Steel Company, Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, expressed delight over the appointment of Prof. Nasir and thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for demonstrating political will towards the completion of the company.

Hon. Abdulraheem commended the management and staff of the company for standing firm in protecting its facilities and expressed hope that the company would become operational. He urged the Managing Director to view the task ahead as a national assignment and to carry everyone along, assuring that the staff and the host community would provide the necessary cooperation and support.

Also speaking, the member representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Hon. Salman Idris, urged the staff to give their maximum support to the new Managing Director, noting that his appointment was based on competence.

According to him, every Nigerian is looking forward to the commencement of operations at the company, as it represents another source of revenue generation and employment aside from crude oil.

Earlier, the outgoing Sole Administrator, Engineer Kanwi Joseph, expressed optimism that the company would become operational during the tenure of the new Managing Director. He expressed confidence in the staff, noting that they are well-equipped to actualise this vision.

He thanked the management and staff for the support given to him during the last six months when he served in an acting capacity, as well as the host community, urging them to extend the same support to the new Managing Director.

It is worth recalling that successive governments have attempted to revive the ailing steel plant, which has been comatose for over three decades, without much success.

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