We can't give up on Nigeria. We must stand up and fight for the country we deserve. Lets start with hope and vision for Ajaokuta.

CodeineSKroches:
Nice idea, but I have a problem, will it's still stand at the test of time. For me Nigeria as a country needs to change its constitution or rule of law, otherwise we keep repeating the same mistakes. The head needs to be change. Nigeria is doomed. No master plan.what a shame
cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

How can we get this to be front page. Its very important please

Nigeria as a country needs to start from scratch... LETS START NOW.

But it will be worth it ... lets start from somewhere

Jibril659:
Its not going to be easy

ARISE NIGERIANS, LETS WALK FOR AJAOKUTA/ITAKPE . SHARE!!!

Beloved Nigerians, for over a year we have worked very hard in breaking the twisted chains of corruption surrounding our steel sector. Our president's intention towards the Russians was hijacked by the manipulative cabals who operate even in his cabinet.

Look around us - extreme hunger, poor education and hospitals, our roads are death traps. Bob Marley said "In the abundance of water, a fool is thirsty". NIGERIANS, HOW MUCH LONGER SHALL WE REMAIN FOOLS

Look around us, abandoned industries littered from the North to the South, East to West while the "SYSTEM" keeps raping our innocence while feasting on our pains. HOW LONG

Nigerians WAKE UP!!!

WAKE UP AND FIGHT FOR AJAOKUTA/ITAKPE. Lets join hands and change our destiny once and for all. The whites called us the giant of Africa; now, we are mocked by fellow African. NO, NOT ANY MORE!!!

ARISE NIGERIA!

You have fallen too long into the deepest slumber that the African countries who once looked up to you are being salvaged by countries of other continents. Oh, you too are being savaged? By China you said?
Don't you know you are made by God to be the backbone of Africa? Do you think a population of over 180m which made you the 7th most populous country on earth is for me rhetorics? Such vast natural resources in abundant commercial quantities being stolen day and night undocumentedly while pockets of your leaders are fattened.

Do you know that by now, you should be giving aids and financial support to poorer sister countries in Africa; instead you are borrowing from China. SUCH SHAME.

What would Sir Tarawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello etc think of you today? Would they be proud THINK NIGERIA THINK!!!

WAKE UP NIGERIA...Your people are dying, your pride is faint, your candle is fading out...you need to rebuild else you become a calamity to Africa and the world.

LETS RAISE OUR VOICES,
LETS MARCH OUR FEET,
LETS POUR OUR HEARTS TO THE PRESIDENT OF ALL CHOICES
LETS CALL ON HIM TO REVIVE AJAOKUTA
SO WE CAN ALL BEGIN TO HEAL NEAR AND AFAR.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION :

OUR DEMANDS
To prevail on the government of Nigeria to facilitate the following:
1. That Mr. President forthwith, directly handles all businesses relating to Ajaokuta/Itakpe Iron Ore and Steel Plants as a way of cutting out the cabal, thereby getting first hand information on the processes and procedures involved in its revival;
2. That President Muhammadu Buhari sets up a high powered Delegation to meet with The President of Russia Mr. Vladimir Putin to open bilateral talks that include finding ways of bringing back TPE (TyazhPromExport), the original builders of the plant to complete the remaining 2% for the plant’s take off;
3. That royalties and compensation be paid to the community that houses the steel plant, including families of those who lost their lives in a genuine cause of fighting patriotically for the protection of our national interest (Ogaminana Massacre of 2008);
4. That President Muhammadu Buhari terminate forthwith any agreement with Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL), and that the company be declared Persona non grata in Nigeria;
If achieved, these objectives will no doubt start the conversation to bring Nigeria close to becoming a major player in the industrialized world, a vision that should be shared by all Nigerians.

To further our cause, we have planned a series of activities:
The Ajaokuta Awareness Walk - The Ajaokuta Awareness Walk is an organised sensitization march that will start from Eagle square and end at National Assembly complex and Aso Villa. The key highlights include a Media Briefing, Speeches by Featured Speakers, Poetry Readings, Video & Music Presentations etc.

Please note that The Awareness Walk is NOT to a protest against the government, rather it’s a campaign to draw the attention to issues before everyday Nigerians and our government in a manner that is positive and inspiring.

Date: January 25, 2017
Venue:Eagle Square, Abuja
Call Time: March Time: 8:00am
Call to Action: 10:00am
Join the Awareness Walk & online
Facebook: Revive Ajaokuta For Nigerians
Email: reviveajaokuta@gmail.com
twitter: @reviveajaokuta

COME ON NIGERIAN!!! LETS DO THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!
For more , click here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154907036356758&set=a.424600331757.215752.675006757&type=3&theater&notif_t=photo_reply&notif_id=1485203223098656

The struggle by Barrister Natasha Akpoti, founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Program and the fore advocate on the need to bring Ajaokuta's original builders back to its brain child has gotten the light of day as the Federal Government considers offer by original builders to return and complete the project.

After over 40 years of neglect, there appears to be a ray of hope for Ajaokuta Steel Company, Nigeria’s largest Steel complex, following decision by the Russia firm, Tyazhpromexport, which originally constructed the complex, to return and resuscitate the project.This is just as the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has vowed to end all issues holding down the Ajaokuta Steel Company before the end of 2016

The UNION gathered that though government is yet to take a categorical position on the return of the Russian company, odds may favour them.
The Russian firm had in a letter dated December 25, 2015 and addressed to the Solid Minerals Minister, indicated interest to return and complete the project if the Federal government was seriously disposed to achieving target of the complex.

Read more here..

http://theunion.com.ng/news/hope-rises-for-ajaokuta-steel-complex/

Thank you so much dear friends. I wonder why our petition never made front page... can anyone help out?https://www.change.org/p/president-buhari-immediately-terminate-arbitration-with-ispat-gshl-and-appoint-tpe-to-complete-ajaokuta-scl?recruiter=57114361&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Its a fact. I understand the consequences of putting up such information if false.

TheFreeOne:

Is that a fact

A reproduction of https://m.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154065985231758 on Nairaland will engender more contributions.

Kudos to you.

Please move this to the front page. I started the petition, Senator Ben Bruce is on our side. We have generated over 200 signatures. Thanks

Dear Nigerians, kindly take 30 seconds to append your signature to this great final call for on our dear president Buhari to terminate all legal ties with GSHL of India and free Ajaokuta and Itakpe for Nigerians to commence completion with the technical support from TPE Russia who are the original builders. God bless our struggles. Please click on the link below, sign, share and let God take control.
https://www.change.org/p/president-buhari-immediately-terminate-arbitration-with-ispat-gshl-and-appoint-tpe-to-complete-ajaokuta-scl

The Hon. Minister of Steel's stated at the National Assembly yesterday he intends to step back for a year to sort out the legal tussle between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and GSHL. An agreement clearly holding the nation to ransom by an Indian company owned by Mr. Pramod ‪#‎Mittal‬. Nigerians are not okay with allocating 1 year of this administration to determine the legalities of a contract undertaken under fraudulent conditions to the detriment of a whole country; and as such can be termed void ab initio on the face of it.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to take a glimpse of this Goliath of a contract and have the good people of Nigeria determine, alongside the good office of the FGN, AGF and Ministry of Solid Minerals, those terms and condition precedent which ties Nigeria's hands from fully taking possession and embarking on reviving the Ajaokuta and Itakpe mills to full capacity.

Important points to note for better understanding of the contract pages herewith attached :

1. 2003 FGN concession-ed ASCL and Itakpe to SolGas, an American Petroleum company brought in by ‪#‎Gbenga‬ Obasanjo, Seun Oyefeso etal.

2. SolGas, for lack of technical capacity engaged ISPAT (India) to pool a team of "experts" for a collaborative operations on ASCL and Itakpe.

3. September 2004, FGN terminates contract with SolGas and immediately enters with ISPAT who later changed their names to GSHL/GINL . This was a "smart" move by the same stakeholders who brought in SolGas. It was a case of - Why deal with SolGas when you can boycott and engage their "technical" partners directly?

4. January 2015. SolGas took FGN to International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and demanded $2.409 billion in damages for premature termination of contract.

5. April 5, 2008, late president Yaradua terminated with immediate effect the FGN agreements with GSHL which in his words "were thwarted by breaches and ‘unwholesome’ practices by the firm".
http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=11854 . President Yaradua also ordered the arrest of Mr. Promod Mittal and other indicted officials.

6. April 16, 2008 an Indian Newspaper the Hindu reported that the federal government of Nigeria revoked the deal that gave control of two state-owned steel firms to Global Infrastructure (Nigeria) Ltd (GINL) for ‘asset stripping.’ Please read here and note the words "assert stripping" in the 3rd line of the first paragraph .http://www.thehindu.com/…/over-80-indian…/article1240318.ece . This corroborates the various reports from the locals and staff of the mills that the Indian company moved/expotred equipments and raw iron ore out of Ajaokuta to India.

7. 2008 , GSHL dragged FGN to ICC demanding for $1bn.

8. 2013 ICC struck out the $1b demand and instructed the both parties, ordered that sale of ASCL be terminated but that the FGN and GSHL reslove by arbitration other terms and submit report back to ICC for a final close on case. GSHL asked that the ICC insert a clause which would prohibit FGN from selling or giving as concession any part or whole of Ajaokuta or Itakpe complexes to a 3rd party AS LONG AS THE ARBITRATION REMAINS UNRESOLVED.

9. December 2014, a concession agreement between FGN and GSHL was entered into (as seen in the attachments numbered 1, 3 , 4 and the signature part ). This was mainly subject to conditions precedent in Schedule 2.

10. Schedule 2 is a bulky 26 page document presently lying in the office of the Minister of Solid Minerals, receiving tremendous amount of pressure to sign. Page 5 attached is the summary of Mediation's condition precedent which is currently before the president, minister of Solid Minerals and AGF.

11. GSHL insists that Nigeria spends over 500 million Euros to rehabilitate Itakpe iron Ore complex for them for a concession fee of 4% of yearly turnover to Nigeria. In other words, for Nigeria to be free to utilize Ajaokuta, the Federal government is to give Itakpe to the Indians not only for free, but spend over 500million Euros to complete and rehabilitate it; afterwhich they would pay Nigeria 4% of its turnover .
THIS IS THE MAJOR CONTENTION BETWEEN GSHL AND FGN and REASONS WHY THE FORMER MINISTER OF MINES AND STEEL DEVELOPMENT Alh. Sada REFUSED TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.

12. Hajiya Maryam Uwais, President Buhari's Special Adviser for Social Protection Plan, is the legal counsel for GSHL (Indians).

Corruption is a crime against humanity!!!
It's a genocide carried out on the future of younger generations and their children unborn.

Copies of the contract can be found here https://web.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154079115806758

The Controversial Contract by Global ‪#‎Infrastructure‬ ‪#‎Nigeria‬ Limited Holding ‪#‎Nigerians‬ to Ransom.

Please Read and SHARE!!!
The Hon. Minister of Steel's stated at the National Assembly yesterday he intends to step back for a year to sort out the legal tussle between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and GSHL. An agreement clearly holding the nation to ransom by an Indian company owned by Mr. Pramod ‪#‎Mittal‬. Nigerians are not okay with allocating 1 year of this administration to determine the legalities of a contract undertaken under fraudulent conditions to the detriment of a whole country; and as such can be termed void ab initio on the face of it.
At this juncture, it is pertinent to take a glimpse of this Goliath of a contract and have the good people of Nigeria determine, alongside the good office of the FGN, AGF and Ministry of Solid Minerals, those terms and condition precedent which ties Nigeria's hands from fully taking possession and embarking on reviving the Ajaokuta and Itakpe mills to full capacity.
Important points to note for better understanding of the contract pages

read more here https://www.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154079115806758

Thank you but can you pls help post in his twitter handle? I and Nigerians would appreciate. God bless

Brimmie:


Try and cc @omojuwa on Twitter. He's always active and has 'nuff followers than can sign the petition.

I've done my part.

The blast furnace in Ajaokuta failed? It was never used. It stands there brand new. Once a blast furnace comes on, its supposed to run for 15 to 20 years day and night without going off.

My dear industrial chemist, that blast furnace is NOT an experimental design. It is the exact one used in Russia, America, UK, Germany, France, India, Egypt etc. Blast furnace technology has been in use since 18th century . Its been tried and tested and of course modernized as technology evolved. What the Russians did was the latest and best at that time; and all it needs now is a little upgrade. The part as a whole is still in great shape. Europe yields quality especially in steel. At the time TPE was building Nigeria's the first blast furnace TPE built in Russia marked 50 years of operations. Pls read this report issued in August 2014 http://in.rbth.com/economics/2014/08/22/bhilai_steel_plant_chhattisgarhs_icon_of_indo-russian_cooperation_37741 I quote from it "Bhilai’s steel plant is India’s largest producer of rails and wide steel plates. More than 50 years after the plant was built, the warmth for Russia and Russians is still in the air". The same company built a plant, (20 years before they built Ajaokuta's) for the Indians and they have maintained and appreciated the TPE Russia's effort. Alas, Nigerian's criticize. Wake up!!!

I urge you to read and travel the globe to see for yourself. Doubtful ignorant thoughts like this is exactly why Nigeria is where she is today. Nigerians doubt made it easier for conspiracies to succeed. China believed so much in itself , even when the whole world termed them counterfeit. Now world powers produce in and patronize China.

egbojay:
Dat blast furnance Russia designed is an experimental model which was first mounted in no place but Nigeria. Pls author I would also like u to research which Professor gave critics on it. One hidden truth we d industrial chemist know about d blast furnance is dat it failed on its capacity to operate effective under instrumental design, analysis and heat retention. No govt can revive dat furnance. Instead a new model must be built one which has been operated bfor. Reference to dat d Japanese proposed bfor Russian stole into d whole white elephant project. In all it is good we start reviewing issues of industrialization. Especially uncaculated decisions

Indeed, my findings were a whole lot that writing all would fill a book. In summary, and for the benefit of Nigeria, I put forward truth as it were and as glaring an effect such truth has caused us to behold today .1. That's one part of the international conspiracy. What right does the IMF and international communities have to determine a sovereign nations;s decision to exploit its God given natural resources for their own development? So white elephant projects can only succeed in the Western world. Same ideology that caused America to reign war on Iraq while the so called international communities all supported America but for Russia who intervened. Russia knew of the technical management gap and embarked upon massive training. A lot of Nigerian engineers where taking to Russia , trained in the plant operations and brought back. The Russians also set up a metallurgical training institute right there in Ajaokuta which has the capacity to train 3000 a time. It was the finest of all metallurgical centers in Africa. One good thing the Russians know how to do is transfer knowledge and insist on a nation being independent. There is a huge spare parts fabrication center also built in the complex. This was such that 80% of all equipments and parts can be reproduce without waiting to order one from Russia. People here can verify.

2. Technically backward integration? That's a problem we, Nigerians have to deal with. We cannot allow mistakes of our past leadership to haunt us forever. Bringing people together from different worlds for a common goal requires dealings in utmost good faith. I believe Buhari can accord a certain amount of stability which vital sectors can breed from.

3. Its wise we apportion blame accordingly. TPE was wrong for this project you said? Hmmm I am thinking. Who was right? America, Britain, France, Germany who Shagari approached and all turned him down but for Russia who offered to develop our steel sector? Lets look at it from this angle, TPE is the wrong option you say because its a Russian state owned company - do you know that this same company built three of India's largest steel plants Bhilai which keeps winning Inida's best steel plant award for 11 years now.? Do you know that India called upon TPE two years ago to upgrade their Rourkela steel plant (originally built by Germans) by building India's largest blast furnace . This furnace shall be completed later this year. If India can still call Russia to build and upgrade its plants, why not us? In life if you don't want to do something, you will find 100 reasons not to do so. Nigerians should wake up, make a decision and stand by it. I have made mine. TPE to Revive Ajaokuta. No to experiments.

sam79:
Writer did a good job but he deliberately omitted certain facts n arguments regarding Ajaokua steel company. 1. The imf n international communities termed ASCL a white elephant project posting dat Nigeria lack d capability to operate/own - the IMF n world bank assertion above is true of Nigeria - we have not being able to operate small none integrated systems like refineries , fertilizer company or even run a simple adminstrative goverment. ASCL is thousands times more complex n require far more logistic/infrastruture like power - transport etc to operate which re none exsistance in nigeria. 2. The negative technical n political effect of backward integration concept applied in ASCL. Technically backward integration is not a negative phenomena but in Nigeria context it a massive disaster occassioned by poor leadership , unstable millitary regimes - etc. 3. TPE is state runned company under d socialist USSR thus political calculations both - local n international affect her business decsion too. Our leaders lack d political mindset required in the international stage to manage TPE. TPE also built n completed/commissioned : South Korea steel n Libya steel company- With Nigeria political limitations n technical ineffectiveness TPE was a wrong option for this project .

I was told a post of this nature should be paid for . LIB and Sahara would post for free if it involves political or entertainment scandal . If I were a fellow minister or sitting governor, this piece would be front page.. but I am common unknown citizen, no buzz except by good minds like you.

Allwility:
Good work Natasha!! I'm waiting to hear what the FG has to say about this. I believe there's more to this than it meet the eyes. I'm also wondering why Sahara Reporters, LIB or any of our national dailies are yet to publish your article. Could it be there's another side to this story??

Just thinking aloud

Thank you .

Yes its from me. I started the petition to draw the president's attention to Ajaokuta. As the petition ran (still runs) I commenced my research. I am actually surprised that out of 40 million active internet users in Nigeria, we only generated 500+ signatures. Like a commentator rightly asked earlier in this thread " why are our youths too quick to comment on topics irrelevant to their progress while an issue like this is walked past like it matters not".

Nigerians must realize that there are different forms of slavery. The most pathetic one is the slavery done by our own kind. Nigerians inhumanity to fellow Nigerians. I am not one to dwell too much in the past so I urge Nigerians to focus on now and the future.

As my findings led me to discover that the original builders of Ajaokuta have over the years written to past governments and got no response, why dont we invite them over to complete their works. Why did Dr. Fayemi to travel to Mexico (monday last week and returned friday) in search of investors in the solid mineral sector when an investor in his most important industry is waiting to help?

I love president Buhari and I believe he needs our support in guiding him ... even with a little proactive pressure. This message must get to the presidency. As I write, the Russian company is putting a letter of intent to the president. I intend to ensure it is delivered. I shall also make the letter available to the public. This administration promised an inclusive government. This means that we, the public must contribute in the policies and decisions as they affect us. How can a budget of 6 trillion not have 1 naira on the revival of Ajaokuta? What was all that " Ajaokuta is a priority" thing all about?

Nigerians are tired of being lied to. The press must not be used to build false hopes. We must hold the government accountable for every penny and every promise they make.

Thank you

NavierStokes:


Dear Madam,
I will be very happy to help in any way I can when called upon. If I may ask there is a petition on change.org I already moved to to the first page of this thread, is that from you(official)?

Thank you . I am drafting a petition already. I am more active on my facebook page Natasha Akpoti https://www.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154065985231758

I would like nairalanders to pls go to my page and under the topic Nigeria's First Industrial Revolution or follow this link https://www.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154070162796758 and insert what they would like the petition to contain. It shall serve as a guide to capture what's needed by consensus.

God bless .

harveyspec:


More grease to your elbows, kindly create another thread and put up the link of the online petition you created on change.org. i just checked it, it has just 535 supporters and it requires additional 465 before they can swing into action. this thread has over 13,000 views. create the thread and call the attention of the MOD to move it to front page. i noticed you have lots of followers/friends on Facebook, why don't you put up the link of the petition on your Facebook wall. also I think you should modify the petition too to reflect the new developments such as Russians willingness to complete it

for those that want to help, here is the link

https://www.change.org/p/president-muhammadu-buhari-vice-president-prof-yemi-osibanjo-a-plea-to-revive-ajaokuta-steel-company-fa0f5ff5-d622-4482-b240-c0e8a6a74d68

kindly sign the petiton.

I appreciate you for posting this piece here.

God said that people perish for lack of knowledge. Ignorance is the most expensive disease i would add. I have been a member of nairaland for 9 years and would plead with Seun to keep this topic on front page or create a banner as nairaland's contribution to the Nigeria's First Industrial Revolution which we believe Ajaokuta would usher Nigeria into.

I would also appreciate if we spread this post far and wide on all blogs, facebook pages, newspaper home, radio etc. The "economic cabals" need to know that Nigerian's are now aware and THERE IS NO BUSINESS AS USUAL!!!

I would appreciate if TV stations grant sessions or interviews so I can talk in-depth on the issues and particularly the way forward. I sincerely believe Ajaokua should be given to the original builders TPE Russia to complete and train our engineers to take over operations. If Nigeria had invited them the moment we realized our mistake in listening to the West, Solgas and Global Infrastructure episodes would not have happened.

I am presently consulting with stakeholders and shall be putting up a petition to this effect. I shall send you a private message once its up so you can help broadcast.

God bless you

NavierStokes:


God bless you madam for the good works so far. I came across it earlier today and thought to bring it on here for a wider read. please do let nairalanders know just how they can do their little bits, for us to win this battle and of course the war.

Thank you. I am meeting with the Chairman committee on Steel on Wednesday. He is quite passionate about ASCL. I spent three months researching and conducting interviews to uncover this much. Though a long piece, its only a summary. I would appreciate if MOD /Seun can keep this topic advertised so it wont go down the topic line and vanish.

The revival of Ajaokuta must be everyone's mantra henceforth. I did my part as a patriot and would love to have Seun permanently keep this topic on top or on an advert sector. I wasn't paid a kobo... Its only a labor of love. We need punch, guardian, thisday, Sahara reporters (I sent him a copy he never published), Linda ikeji to publish( I sent her a mail but she never published.. not sure I have her right email address lindaikeji@gmail.com). Nigeria is drowning and fast at that .. we need to save ourselves!!!

Mekyno:

wow wow, wonderful piece. I read all and i am gr8ful for the research work.
How i wish dis will be everyone's mantra till smtn is done abt it.
Let everyone dat has connectn wit any politician or anyone in high place or position whistle it to d person's ears.
ASCL is the heart (beat) of Nigeria's economy, keep oil aside.
How can dis get to d president, governor, ministers, national assembly etc that TPE are begging for opportunity to complete it and make u great economically for life?
God help us.
NB: i jst hope d nigerian rich men using d india company as a cover are not pressurizing/talking to d minister of solid minerals, to abandon ASCL n TPE.

I wrote this piece.... Yes Cooljade undercovered. Sent a copy to Sahara Reporters but he did not acknowledge neither did he publish. Maybe we can all plead with Seun to contact Sowore himself. This is a battle EVERY NIGERIAN must fight. I have put my face in the public for this cause because somenody had to start from somewhere; and I need everybody's SUPPORT.

You may read original post on my facebook wall here https://www.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154065985231758 . I have posted updates as well. I am currently meeting with stakeholders before drafting a petition which would most likely be via change.org to give stern timelines to compel the government to do justice to Ajaokuta Steel Complex for the good of Nigeria's future. Nigeria cannot industrialize without steel. We cannot truly diversify without steel . Steel is the 2nd most important resource in the world after all. Pls lets join forces together... Visit my facebook page, read all posts, SHARE and follow me for progress reports.

God bless you ...God bless Nigeria.

You may need to read the full story here. The Russian's letter to Fayemi is also found on this link

Time to break the deadly conspiracy surrounding ‪#‎Ajaokuta‬ Steel ‪#‎Company‬ Limited!!!

I have been advised to use pseudo names in publishing this piece, but that’s not my nature. I am one who bolds up to situations and thus, I shall bear my name and consequences this report might stir.
From the 14th of August 2015, the day I had an interactive and empowerment session with the black smiths of ‪#‎Ebiraland‬; the pains in their voices daunted me. A people, whose ancestors carved a niche in ironworks way back as the 7th century suffered for want of materials to support their trade while a steel giant lay raped in their backyard by a series of unfortunate events and conspiracies.
In October, I took online to issue a petition pleading with ‪#‎President‬ ‪#‎Buhari‬ to revive ASCL; and with your support we were able to get hundreds of signatures. Since that day, I left no stone unturned to discover the happenings so as to better understand the best path forward. I have taken time to make this report as brief and as simple as possible and urge you all to take time and read.

https://web.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154065985231758

The Russian company that designed and built the now moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd (ASCL) about two decades ago has recently written to the federal government, indicating its willingness to return and complete the project so that the multibillion naira investment can commence production.

But it seems the federal government, which has not responded to the letter yet, is not very keen about the Russian firm’s offer to return and make the rusted company work again.

Russian TyazhpromExport, a steel industry construction company established in the late 1950s, had after the June 4, 1976 bilateral agreements signed by Nigeria and Russia, on the development of the former’s iron deposit, sealed a contract (047/04100) for the construction of a steel plant with the capacity of producing 1.3 million tonnes of steel per year.

With the contract signed, the Russian company, as it could be recalled, deployed 1,000 Russian experts and 3,500 Nigerian workers to carry out the construction exercise that was completed up to 98 per cent by October 1993. Specifically, of the 482 Units that make up the entire ASCL, 476 of them were commissioned, including three rolling mills, TPS-TBS, repair and service shops that were all put into operation.

After that feat, the steel company was abandoned and left to rot away for years. And when the federal government made the move to revive the company in 2002, the same Russian company was invited to carry out an assessment audit of what needed to be done to revive it, but the effort was later stalled when government decided in 2005 to give the company on concession to one Global Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. That agreement, too, was later said to have been cancelled in 2008.

Since then, there has been no clear-cut direction for ASCL, and the prospective money-spinner continued to rot away.

With the coming of the new government and its obvious body language to diversify the economy, one of which is to revive ASCL, the original builders, TyazhPromExport, which happened to have kept an eye on the unfortunate development of its brainchild, has again written to the government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development about its readiness to make the steel company functional.

In its letter dated December 12, 2015, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP, the Russian company said it did not “want to believe that Ajaokuta cannot be viable if money is spent on it”.

The officials of the Russian company said if made to work again, Ajaokuta would play a major role in President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda on poverty eradication.

However, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development had not responded to this letter at the time of filing this report.

When contacted by LEADERSHIP to comment on the letter written to his ministry by TPE, the minister of state for Solid Mineral Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari, acknowledged the said missive but he quickly pointed out that the Russian company was not the only one interested in rehabilitating Ajaokouta.

He spoke to our reporter on phone: “In fact, more than seven companies have presented several proposals, letters and presentations, showing their interest to complete the Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd.

“We are being very careful not to make any mistakes and are waiting till we are able to vet all proposals before the technical team and also involve the government of their countries to certify the companies before sitting down to discuss with the firms. This time around we want to be very careful but we are willing to associate and discuss with those interested in completing the steel complex.”

He lamented that “so much had been spent for the revival of plant with nothing commensurate coming out of it.”

“The federal government spends N4 billion annually to maintain the steel plants and its workers, but we cannot continue with that,” he said.

The minister said that it was the present administration’s intention that before the expiration of its tenure, half or the whole of Ajaokuta Steel firm will be working.

“It is our intention that if Ajaokuta won’t work, at least half of it will begin to work. It can generate power and it is our intention that before the end of our tenure, half or the whole of AJSC will be working.”

Reacting to this development, a non-governmental organisation with interest on investment, Builders Hub Impact Investment Programme, said it was aware of the letter by the Russian company to the Federal Ministry of Solid Mineral Development, because it (Builders Hub) reached out to TyazhPromExport (TPE) Russia in good faith when it discovered the firm’s genuine interest to work with Nigeria in completing Ajaokuta.

“They said that they wrote several times to the Nigerian government over the years but there was response,” said Natasha Akpoti, of Builders Hub Impact Investment Programme.

“TPE said that it would be its greatest desire to fulfil a dream it shared with Nigeria many years ago. TPE is a world giant in steel plant construction and has a lot of past and present projects all over the world. TPE built India’s largest steel plants on the same technology that Ajaokuta has, which is the blast furnace. TPE was recently contacted by the Indian government to undertake the reconstruction and modernization of Roulkella Steel, which is one of the country’s largest steel amongst others,” she said.



http://leadership.ng/news/495730/russian-builders-ajaokuta-steel-offer-complete-project

I have been advised to use pseudo names in publishing this piece, but that’s not my nature. I am one who bolds up to situations and thus, I shall bear my name and consequences this report might stir.
From the 14th of August 2015, the day I had an interactive and empowerment session with the black smiths of Ebiraland; the pains in their voices daunted me. A people, whose ancestors carved a niche in ironworks way back as the 7th century suffered for want of materials to support their trade while a steel giant lay raped in their backyard by a series of unfortunate events and conspiracies.
In October, I took online to issue a petition pleading with President Buhari to revive ASCL; and with your support we were able to get hundreds of signatures. Since that day, I left no stone unturned to discover the happenings so as to better understand the best path forward. I have taken time to make this report as brief and as simple as possible and urge you all to take time and read.

Follow this link as it reveals a lot into the past and present "smart games" surrounding Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. How the Indians are holding Nigeria government to ransom demanding Itakpe to be given to them free for 25 years; How the original builders TPE Russia are trying to come back and salvage the situation... enjoy this amazing piece of investigative journalism

https://web.facebook.com/NatashaAkpoti/posts/10154065985231758

Thank you.

@yaksson. This is exactly the problems with Nigerians . We never put our heart where our month is. Always complaining but never acting. This is the time for the citizens to take advantage of Buhari's government and revive Ajaokuta Steel Company. Itakpe ores have the highest concentrate of iron in the world and thus termed the purest following by Germany's. We must revive steel's production to diversify... Agriculture alone won't do it for us.
God bless

Fellow Nigerians,

Kindly sign this campaign which is directed to our President Muhammadu Buhari to make the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company a priority. There are no jobs and quite limited means of being productive. With the revival of this Sub-Sahara's largest integrated steel complex, millions of jobs would be generated and thousands of industries would be stimulated. Lets take advantage of this proactive government.. lets sign for economic diversification... lets sign for Nigeria's industrialization...lets sign for us. God bless.

https://www.change.org/p/president-muhammadu-buhari-vice-president-prof-yemi-osibanjo-a-plea-to-revive-ajaokuta-steel-company-fa0f5ff5-d622-4482-b240-c0e8a6a74d68?recruiter=57114361&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Child looks autistic hence the slow motor development . Poor kid.

Died at 95

Hi bigfrancis 21. I read with great interest and I tell you that I am at the same stage you were in 2007.... Discovery of true meaning of spirituality. I would appreciate if you pm you email address so we could communicate for greater learning. Tx.

Fun
Love
Health

Hello nairalanders and especially fnk. thanks you all for the wonderful posts on poultry farming. I am committed to starting the business large scale but need as much information as possible and would love to be blessed by FNK's experience put in the 3 dcouments and particularly your virus mix. . Pls dont get tired now.... we are all in this sturggle to help ourselves and our dear country. pls send to legendarkfarms@yahoo.com. God bless