FG To Ban Importation Of Steel

Federal government on Thursday said it’s planning to lay a total ban on steel importation to encourage local steel manufacturers in the country.

Minister for Mines and Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed this at an official visit to a local steel manufacturing industry in Ilorin, Kwara state, Kamwire Industry Limited, that government was determined to stop importation of substandard steel products into Nigeria.

He reiterated government commitment to encourage local investors in mine and steel sector, especially with potential to provide more job opportunities for Nigerian youth.

Adegbite added that the Federal Government is working with Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to address the issue

“We welcome local industrialization and local entrepreneurs. We want to encourage them. I can see depth of backward integration here, from raw material to finished product. This is an example of what Nigeria should do. If you do this you can imagine this complex providing over 4,000 employment opportunities. If we have replication of this all over the country, it will reduce rate of restiveness and banditry we have in the country”; Adegbite said.

He expressed the determination of the Federal Government to effectively harness the Mining sector and commended KAMWIRE industry for the steps taken so far to develop the sector.