By Miriam Humbe
The Kano branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for the proper positioning of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at the nation’s entry points in preparation for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). National Vice President of MAN, North West Zone, Alhaji Ali Madugu made the call in Kano while receiving the Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim who was on a working visit to the state recently. According to him, the commencement of the AfCFTA further underscores the need for SON’s presence at the entry points to prevent Nigeria from being turned into a dumping ground of substandard, fake and counterfeited products from other African Countries.
6 min read
In this interview with journalists, the Chairman Basic Metal, Iron and Steel and Fabricated Metal Products sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN),
Dr. Kamoru Yusuf, speaks on the impending issues affecting the sector especially the ongoing process to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Complex by the Federal Government.
Your take on the ongoing process to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Complex
I have taken my time to study and assessed the Federal Government’s efforts to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and my conclusion is that it may be difficult for any foreign investor(s) to successfully operate Ajaokuta Steel Complex without the full support of the local industry operators.
However, most of the industries have been a shadow of their past, declining since the past two decades. But the state government said it has devised a means to cause a rebound of industrialisation in the state.
To kick-start this process, the state recently announced that the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) has approved N10 billion funds to revive ailing industries in the state, with hopes for more funding.
Why Kano industries went moribund – Ganduje
At the stakeholder meeting, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje minced no words when he delved into the issues that resulted in the closure of major industries in the state.
Use Chinese model to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company, FG urged
On
By Jimoh Babatunde
The Federal Government has been urged to adopt the model used by the Peoples of the Republic of China to transform its Steel industry in the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The Chairman Basic Metal, Iron and Steel and Fabricated Metal Products sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Kamoru Yusuf, who gave the advice, said no foreign investors can bring Ajaokuta Steel Company back to operation.
He said the process of resuscitating Ajaokuta Steel Company which is our nation’s heritage was not properly structured as owners of existing steel plants, who would have given clearer narrations of the issues in the industry, were not consulted.
I have taken my time to study and assessed the Federal Government’s efforts to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and my conclusion is that it may be difficult for any foreign investor to successfully operate Ajaokuta Steel Complex without the full support of the local industry operators.
The drive to revive Ajaokuta Steel Complex is to set the stage for Nigeria as the leading industrial nation in the continent as earlier envisioned, which is being driven through the development of the Steel sector under the able leadership of the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite; who has demonstrated passion and capability in promoting the steel sector in Nigeria, through his resolve that there is the need for the Federal Government to declare Iron and Steel as National Products for Rapid Economic Growth.