18th April, 2013
Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has described the establishment of a steel rolling mill by Wempco Limited as a welcome development that would complement the transformational agenda of his administration in the country.
He made the statement today at the formal commissioning of a Cold Steel Rolling Mill built by Wempco Steel Mills Limited located at Ibafo town in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State, southwest, Nigeria.
The President stated that the single largest private sector investment in the steel sector in the country was “another milestone in our determination to reposition our steel sector to play a pivotal role in our march towards industrialization and national transformation”.
Appreciating the parent company for the ‘huge and productive investment on the 700,000 metric tons per annum Cold Rolled Steel Mill, President Jonathan said the management of the company had demonstrated strong belief and confidence in the nation’s economy.
The President reiterated the commitment of his administration to improving investment climate through provision and upgrading of all necessary infrastructure facilities such as power, roads and rail in the country.
In his own address at the commissioning, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, informed the President about the activities of some federal agencies that had frustrated the efforts of his government to rehabilitate federal the roads within the state with a view to ameliorating the pains being experienced by industrialists in the
axis.
According to the governor, “the Abeokuta-Aiyetoro-Imeko-Afon road, which is essential for our agricultural development project, especially in the area of animal husbandry; the Ibeshe-Ilaro-Papalanto road, which links Dangote Cement; Ejirin-Bonojo-Lagos Garage road in Ijebu-ode; Abeokuta-Odeda-Ibadan road; as a matter of fact, contractors have been mobilized in some cases while in others, the companies along the axis have already worked out the cost implication and sharing of that cost, with the State Government, only for Federal Government to disrupt our arrangement under the disguise of encroachment on Federal roads.
“The economic implication of these roads on our development process is not only great; but the fact remains that the condition of the roads has continued to bring about loss of lives. If not for economic reasons, let us do something urgently on these roads to save the lives of our people”.
Amosun however, assured investors within the state that “Ogun State Government on its part will continue to serve as a catalyst for industrial growth through the provision and improvement of infrastructural facilities which will generate
profitable and competitive business for the benefit of all stakeholders”.