Reps urge govt to complete Ajaokuta steel plant, others

THE House of Representatives, yesterday in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to complete the Ajaokuta steel plant and Itakpe Iron Ore facility before their privatisation.The legislators explained that the completion of the steel production plants would make the 20-20-20 vision realisable with its attendant economic, social and technological benefits.The House stressed that the projects should not be suspended under any guise, adding that 'it is only the government worldwide that can provide such needed infrastructure'.The Representatives also called on the Federal Government to urgently make adequate provision for agriculture and revamp the country's manufacturing sector by providing the needed capital and power.The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Sadiq Mohammed (PDP- Kogi), which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.Moving the motion, Mohammed noted that Nigeria had invested heavily in groundnuts in the North, Cocoa in the South West as well as Coal and Rubber in the East, years after independence.He however, observed that government had neglected the development of agriculture, iron and steel overtime.Mohammed expressed worry about the 'much talked about government's policy of diversification of the economy without using the available opportunities, resources and political will to diversify same.'He pointed out that the advanced countries built and completed a lot of their critical sector projects before embarking on privatisation, urging his colleagues to support the motion, saying that development was critical to national development.The motion entitled 'Diversification of Nigeria's Economy'', was referred to the Committees on Industry, land, Transport, Works, Water resources, Power and Steel.
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