Sen. Adeyemi laments abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex, tells FG to fix refineries

By Musa Baba Adamu

Senator Smart Adeyemi (APC Kogi West) yesterday called on the Federal Government to fast track the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Project, which he said is a catalyst for full industrialization of the nation’s economy.

Adeyemi, who made the call Wednesday at an interactive session with journalists on way out of the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy, also urged the federal government to use the current gains being made from Crude oil sales at the International market, which is above $100, to fix the comatose oil refineries or build new ones.

Proceeds from the oil windfall arising from the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war, he added, should be channeled into refixing the comatose refineries or outright building of new ones.

“To me, it is inexplicable and shameful for a nation that is producing crude oil in large volumes on daily basis to be importing refined ones.

“It is like somebody who has a functional borehole in his or her compound, and yet buys water from other sources.

“Refineries must be made functional or new ones put in place to prevent huge capital flight bleeding the Nation’s economy from refined oil importation”, he said.

He lamented further that abandoned  Ajaokuta Steel Complex, which has the potential of providing gainful employment to over 50,000 Nigerian youth should be resuscitated if full fledged industrialisation is to be achieved for the country.

“Is saddening that a potential game changer for the Nation’s monolithic economy which started in 1980s, is still at the stage of abandonment.

“If the Federal Government is not ready to see to its completion and functionality, it should be handed over to Kogi State, which I believe will do the needful the way the Kaduna State Government built an iron ore firm recently with potentials to create thousands of jobs for the youth and quantum wealth generation for the State.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari led government is no doubt trying, as far as building of infrastructures are concerned, but such legacies without completion of Ajaokuta and provision of functioning refineries; will not make much impact economically”.