Without NMDC Nigeria can not progress in the area of Steal and Mines production technologically- Hon. Arc. Adegbite

Without NMDC Nigeria can not progress in the area of Steal and Mines production technologically- Hon. Arc. Adegbite

The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Hon. Arc. Olamilakan Adegbite has stated that without the existence of the National Metallurgical Development Center (NMDC) Jos, Nigeria can not progress in the area of steel and Mines production technologically.

Hon. Arc. Adegbite disclosed that it is high time for Nigeria to embrace technology as a means of actualizing self-sufficient, growth and development.

He reveals that there is a vast existing opportunities yet to be tapped in the mines and steel sector as he called on all stakeholders in the sector to put heads together to change the narrative for the country to gain it’s lost glory.

The minister made this known on Friday after touring the facilities at the headquarters of National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC), Jos.

According to him, “coming to NMDC today, any Nation that want to be independent, that want to make progress technology driven must have it’s own self production and without this center Nigeria cannot make it.

He said:”you can see a lot has been done here and a lot more need to be done. Because even a few things that we don’t know about this centre the DG always come to my office and we talked about what they need but we thank God even where they are today they have done so much and they can do more.

Particularly, “we are trying to support them, there was an MoU that they have signed with Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and this wouldn’t have come about if not for the COVID-19 that disrupted transportation world wide which we need to look inward. We can do better grading in this place.

“I am going to try my best and get the remaining funds. We find some but we need a lot more for them to be at that level where not only to serve DICON but to serve the country as a whole.

“So coming to Jos today like I said, my only regret is I didn’t came earlier but even with the time that I left, I am going to try my best with my colleagues in the ministry, the Honourable minister of state and the permanent secretary to try and find the funds that we need to make sure that this two agencies (MING and NMDC) live up to expectations and of course serve Nigeria that is meant to do”, the minister stated.

Earlier, the director general/Chief executive of NMDC, Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo intimate the minister that the agency is one of the key agencies in the mineral and metals sector which it’s activities are crucial in value addition and development of processes in the entire mineral processing chain: from exploration to extraction to fabrication.

While appreciating the ministry for supporting the agency, the DG appealed to the minister to intensify priority on research and development for the diversification of the economy.

Thus, the areas of focus includes; provision of additional critical equipment to operationalize the EAFs for the work on steel, testing and commissioning of the Lead smelting pilot plant, acquire of capacity to conduct research in the production of brasses and other non-ferrous metals as well as enhancement of capacity for minerals beneficiation studies.