The Kaduna private steel plant, welcome Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed’s recent declaration that steel boom may lead to Nigeria’s industrialisation merely reiterated the original thinking behind the development of the Ajaokuta and the other steel plants at Aladja, Oshogbo, Jos and Katsina.
In fact, the Third National Development Plan (1975–1980), specifically between 1976 and 1978, set the tone for Nigeria commencing the construction of two integrated Iron and Steel plants located at Ajaokuta (ASC) and Aladja (DSC) and three rolling mills at Oshogbo, Jos and Kastina.
It is therefore regrettable that this national objective has not been realised more than four decades since the idea was conceived. The Ajaokuta Steel Plant, which is supposed to be the flagship of steel development in the country, has, unfortunately, remained a white elephant, indeed a major drainpipe through which billions of dollars have been siphoned. Conflicting signals over what the Federal Government wants to do with the comatose Ajaokuta Steel Mill is causing confusion.
Government appears to be in limbo and unsure of what to do or how to save the huge investment on the landmark project upon which Nigeria’s industrialisation is hinged.
We cannot remain a wasteful nation just as the industrialisation dream of the country cannot be aborted. There has to be a way to reposition the country on the path of industrialisation. The failure of Ajaokuta is a huge embarrassment to the nation and its past and present leaders are to blame.
