Ajaokuta Presidential Project and Implementation Team” (APPIT) to bring Steel Project back to life- FG

Abiodun OBA

The Ajaokuta Presidential Project and Implementation Team” #APPIT, is meant to kick start the process of bringing the Steel Project back to life for the growth and economic development of Nigeria.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman of the Team, Boss Mustapha, stated this while inaugurating the team, on Monday, in Abuja.

“Today’s inauguration of the “Ajaokuta Presidential Project and Implementation Team” #APPIT, is therefore meant to kick start the process of re-directing the activities of the Steel Plant with the aim of bringing the Steel Project back to life for the growth and economic development of our dear nation.”

Mustapha maintained that the inauguration was a fall out of the bilateral discussions between President Muhammadu Buhari and his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia during the Russia-Africa Summit last year.

He explained, “Following the bilateral discussions in Sochi, Russia, the Ajaokuta Steel Project is to be resuscitated on the basis of a Government-to-Government agreement with funding from the Afreximbank and the Russian Export Centre. However, one of the key issues discussed by the parties was the Technical Audit, Upgrade, Completion and Operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“I am happy to note that preliminary works have commenced determining parameters for the effective and coordinated take-off of rehabilitation works on the Steel plant. It is on this note that Mr President graciously approved the composition of this Implementation Team that is being inaugurated today.”

“The team is to engage in all bilateral negotiations as shall be necessary on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria leading to the execution of the Government-to-Government Agreement with the Russian Federation and the Afreximbank.

“While it will also provide all relevant technical and other inputs necessary to close the Government-to-Government negotiations, the team is to ensure that the best extreme possible, all relevant raw materials are sourced locally, bearing in mind the local content provisions and the Presidential Executive Order 005.”

Other tasks set before the team are to scrutinise and assemble Nigerian Content Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Special Purpose Vehicle Contractors which will embody the Co-Concessionaire representing Nigeria’s interest in the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Concession;

“Ensure the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) based on the original design, and ensure timely commissioning of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant (ASP) within a reasonable period to be agreed upon by the parties to the agreement and recommend primary tenure of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Concession.”

The membership of the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team #APPIT, include the Minister of Mines and Steel Development who would serve as alternate Chairman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, as well as Mr Gabriel Aduda, a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF.

Others are the Sole Administrator, Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd, Engr. Ismaila Aka’aba, Sole Administrator, National Iron Ore Mining Company, Engr. Vincent Dogo, Prof. Elegba S.B., Dr Godwin Adeogba (the trio being Industry Experts), Director-General, ICRC and Director Steel, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.