President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the federal government has committed about $400m to bring back to life the moribund Iron and Steel company, in Ajaokuta, Kogi state.
The president disclosed this at Okene on Thursday while on a working visit to Kogi State to commission the legacy projects of Governor Yahaya Bello.
He said the federal government has rescued the steel company from total collapse, and it is ready for concession with prospective investors to complete the efforts so far made for the company to bounce back.
President Buhari who arrived at Okene at 10:30 am on Thursday added that the rehabilitation of the steel company will make Kogi state become Nigeria’s Iron power state, stressing that the company will create over 500,000 jobs at full capacity utilisation.
He stated that with the presence of the Obajana cement company, Railway station at Itakpe and the revived Ajaokuta steel company, the state is gradually being turned into an industrial hub centre in the country.
Also, the president added further that progress is being made on the ongoing KKK gas plant embarked upon by his administration, saying, when completed it will turn the economy of the nation around for good.
Moreso, President Buhari commended Governor Yahaya Bello for delivering on his electioneering campaign promises calling the people of the State to cooperate and support him for more dividends of democracy.
Governor Bello while commending President Buhari for his official visit to the state, pointed out that he was determined to serve the people of Kogi when his administration came on board on 27th January 2016.
“We are determined to fulfil all the electioneering campaign promises to the people of the State. That is why I followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s footsteps. All the support you gave me has worked magic in Kogi State with litany of projects across the State,” Governor Bello said.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ado Ibrahim who was represented by the Ohi Okengwe , HRH Alhaji Tijani Mohammed Anage thanked President Buhari for the support and encouragement he has given the State governor.
The highlights of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state was the commissioning of Governor Bello’s projects: the Multi-Million Naira Reference Hospital, Okene, the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebira land, the flyover bridge at Ganaja Junction at Lokoja and the Muhammadu Buhari Square.
Others include; the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo Lokoja; ambulances and special security vehicles; Okene; Agasa/Ogbogoro road and other township roads in Okene.
