Government reactivates Ajaokuta thermal power plant, plans connection to national grid

The Federal Government has given lifeline to Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) by reactivating its thermal power plant, which was shut down for years.

The plant will not only save the firm from the payment of electricity bills, which have ran into millions of naira, but also will be a source of revenue generation.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, who said this during a visit to Ajaokuta and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe in Kogi State, reiterated government’s commitment towards resuscitation of ASCL, adding that there is political will to resolve all pending legal issues surrounding the company.

“The government is passionate about reviving the company. It would not want to repeat mistakes of the past. That is why we are careful, diligent and transparent,” he stressed.

Mu’azu commended the management and members of staff of NIOMCO for safeguarding the national assets by providing security over the years to ensure that equipment is not vandalised.

The Sole Administrator of ASCL, Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, had earlier pledged the company’s readiness to co-operate with government to revive the firm, while power plant would be linked to national grid.

Also, NIOMCO Sole Administrator, Bernard Ifechi Nnagha, who acknowledged the ministry for improving workers’ peculiar allowances, thanked government for settling old AEDC bills.