Insecurity threatens $600m steel plant construction in Kaduna

The head of mining, African Natural Resources and Mines, Partha Ghosh, has revealed that the company is facing insecurity in the construction of its $ 600m steel plant in Gujeni district, Kagarko Local Government Area of ​​Kaduna State.

He was speaking to the media during a three-day Nigeria-Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit in Abuja.

According to him, the company has been doing business in Nigeria since 1971, and has been a leading producer of steel in the country.

Ghosh went on to say that the fully integrated mining and steel industry has the potential to mine more than 5m tons per year.

He added that the plant, which will employ about 4,000 Nigerians directly, is more than 95 percent ready and will be approved by the president later this year.

In the program, he said, “We will produce steel, and invest more than $ 600m in this project. The plan will be implemented soon this year, and has been attended by the minister, and the president is coming to implement it later this year. ”

He added, “As we work in Kaduna, there are many security challenges. There are problems with criminals, kidnappings, and so on. ”

However, Ghosh said there are security measures in place to deal with the security challenges facing the company.

“We have our own strict security system on site. We have a three-story security system – security guards, mobile police and soldiers – who protect people’s lives and property. “We are also in contact with the governor of Kaduna State, who wholeheartedly supports our project and provides additional support regarding security and all other assistance needed from him,” he said.

At the event, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (sitting seated), represented by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, said Africa needed a huge amount of energy to sustain development.

According to the president, the earth has gone from being a natural residue to a clean and renewable energy source to sustain its development. Therefore, he emphasized the need for technology and products that will drive the growth and development of African industries in an environmentally friendly manner.

He said, “We must come up with technologies and products that will lead to the growth and development of African industries in an environmentally sustainable manner while promoting development.

and to fund green energy projects. ”

Earlier, the minister said the summit would call on the African mining, finance, energy and energy, oil and gas industry to pave the way for sustainable development and renewable energy.

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