NSE tasks government on iron, steel industry

The Nigerian Society of Engineers,(NSE), Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Division (MMM) has charged the Federal Government to shift focus from oil to the Iron, Steel and Mining industries for technological development and economic benefit of the country.

Speaking at a press briefing during expanded council meeting of the association, titled: “Materials engineers in the 21st Century”, a university don, Prof. David E. Esezobor, said the meeting was a unique one with the paper presentation to emphasise the role of engineering profession (materials engineers) in the 21st century, particularly in the development of the country.

The don, who stressed the need to diversify the economy, called on mining, metallurgical and materials engineers to lead in contributing their quota to ensure that the country moves from the conventional means of mono-economy (oil) to solid minerals and their processing.

The don, while stating that the country must have the political will to diversify its economy, added that the bedrock of any nation’s industrial development is the iron and steel sector. He, therefore, advised that every effort should be made to resuscitate the iron and steel industry and that the government should encourage private-sector participation.

He urged the government to reactivate the moribund Ajaokuta steel industry, so as to create jobs for the youth.National Chairman of NSE, Metallurgical, Mining and Materials Division (MMM), Dr. Friday Apeh, said one of the objectives of the meeting was to help the division deliberate on the way forward and how to achieve a good turnout during the body’s national conference and annual general meeting coming up in Jos, in April 2017.

Apeh noted that the aim of the presentation was to mentor some young engineers on how to contribute their quota to the national development during this recession and thereafter.

National Vice Chairman of the society, Ayodeji Adeyemo, corroborated that the meeting was an interactive forum to empower engineers, rub minds together for the progress of the country. He urged that training and retraining of young engineers in the processing of the natural resources to earn foreign exchange be encouraged.