First from left Engr.prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, ( OFR) Executive vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NASENI, Engr. prof.linus Asuquo. Director General of Nigeria Metallurgical Development Centre jos; (third left) is Barrister Hussaina Shehu, Assistant Chief legal Adviser in NASENI; during the signing of MoU by the two organizations..

The urgent need to complete the nation’s Iron and Steel Company in Ajaokuta, Kogi State has again been brought to the fore as the National Agency for Science, Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI) and the National Metallurgical Development Centre, (NMDC) sign an MoU to lift frog technological development of Nigeria

The MoU was signed on Tuesday after a well thought out plans for two years between officials of NASENI and the NMDC.

Recalled that NASENI was established by the federal government to fabricate industrial equipment while the NMDC in Jos, the Plateau State Capital was created to convert mineral resources into applicable materials for the use of machines.

At the signing ceremony which took place in NASENI Headquarters, located at Idu Industrial Estate, Abuja, the Chief Executives of both Agencies spoke passionately of the urgent need to complete the Nation’s Iron and Steel Company to boost industrialisation and development of the country

In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna said, to partner with the NMDC will enable both Agencies contribute their quota to the revival and development of iron and steel industry in Nigeria, “particularly our ambition to participate and run some aspect of the Ajaokuta Steel Company”

Prof. Haruna said the working collaborations between NASENI and NMDC had been instituted to provide a solid foundation for the steel and iron sector of Nigeria to flourish, noting that the subsector is the very foundation for the manufacturing sector of the country to thrive.

According to NASENI boss, “I can tell you that our MoU will not be like those MoUs. I can say we have even started the implementation since we have identified what we need to do and work can commence on research and development and also areas we need to improved. Our laboratories are operational to give us what we need”

On his part, the Director General of NMDC Prof. Linus Asuquo expressed joy that the discussion which started two years ago has come to reality

Prof Asuquo said what Nigeria need now is leadership that will drive the process of industrialization, adding the completion of Iron and steel project will pull Nigeria out of mere consuming nation

“What we need to do as leaders of the two Agencies: NASENI and NMDC is passion to harness local raw materials to build a strong economy and industrialized nations as directed by Mr. President through the Executive Order 5.

“As you rightly stated, we cannot go far in this country without Iron and Steel Industry, Ajaokuta Steel Plant. There is no way we can develop as a country, we will continue to be a consuming country if we don’t complete the plant” he said

Speaking with newsmen on the life span of the MoU, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI said the agreement has come to stay as a working document but can only be reviewed in the event of emerging challenges in the future