A Human Rights Activist Chief based in Kogi State , Chief Haruna Ahmed Osike has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to jettison his earlier plans and commitment toward the resuscitation of the ailing Ajaokuta steel industry in the state .
Chief Osike who made the appeal in Lokoja on Tuesday while interacting with Journalists , said since the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic in the month of March 2020 the enthusiasm of the federal government to revive the moribund steel plant became very weak, appealing to government not relent in its effort.
He lamented that federal government seems to have allowed the out break of covid-19 to dissuade the plans for the resuscitation of the steel industry, saying Nigerians who have interest for the completion of the industry are worried.
“We are worried because President Muhammadu Buhari who have developed interest to inject life once again into the steel industry, his tenure is fast running and there is need for the project to be completed and operationalize before the end of the current administration.
“Many foreigners are still working in Nigeria and covid-19 did not killed them and we believe that if the Russian engineers come to Nigeria today nothing will happen to them either. So it is dangerous to abandon the project because of the recent pandemic that has comes to stay with us.
“Honestly, Ajaokuta steel complex still remain the hope of Nigerians in job creation and revenue generation .
“The possibility of giving Nigerian youth jobs and bright future can not be achieved without due consideration for the completion of the ailing industry and that was why we are appealing to President Buhari not to jettison his earlier plans and commitment toward the resuscitation of the integrated steel plant” he stated.
Speaking on the enormous benefits of Ajaokuta steel industry if completed and operationalize, the activist said “It is an open secret that no nation can grow or attain the desired development both technologically and economically without iron and steel.
“The steel industry will serve as a great foreign exchange earner to the country and the employment opportunities alone will enable the federal government to engage the teeming unemployed youth and this will invariable reduce youth restiveness and also wipe away crimes associated with idleness as a result of unemployment” he stated.
