FOLUSHO ALADE,ABUJA
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, RT. HON. AHMED IDRIS WASE, has assured that the National will give the Federal government all the necessary support towards reviving the AJAOKUTA STEEL COMPANY.
The Deputy speaker stated this while playing host to the COMMITTEE OF DEANS OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY OF NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES (CODET), in his office on Tuesday, led by ENGR. ABUBAKAR BABA ALIYU.
He assured the academia of the National Assembly determination to partner with the Muhammadu Buhari-led executive towards repositioning the country on the path of growth.
“I want to say that the parliament as a whole will support every course that will sustain our country’s effort towards the attainment of infrastructural development for our country. On the issue you raised, even during the last assembly, as a parliament, we pushed for the resuscitation of Ajaokuta steel complex even to the extent of appropriating money, and said this should be done.
“But those who didn’t see the wisdom then are beginning to see the wisdom today. And today, no country can grow without that type of asset. That is the manufacturing of those things that will help us in our quest for industrial growth.
“So for us as a parliament of the people, we are here to support you, we are on the same page with president Buhari, we are on the same page with the leadership of the country who want to have a change regarding how things had been for that matter.
“I don’t believe that government should be the sole provider of employment. I believe that the only way that we can cater for our teeming youths in Nigeria is when our industries are functional. So if the instruments and other enabling environment for conducive operations are lacking, then we can continue to assist in putting them in place”, the deputy speaker assured.
Earlier, in his presentation to the deputy speaker, the leader of the delegation, ENGR. ABUBAKAR BABA ALIYU, said the body which is made up of four different organs runs various competitions every year on engineering related projects.
He said the competitions have individuals and group categories for either best university of the year, the best graduating students, as well as the best lecturer of the year. What we do is to gather all the first class students from all the universities in a room and we give them a simple test, and the best performer will be given the prize”.
He said the body has just a single message for the deputy speaker, that as an engineer, he should help stimulate industrial growth through manufacturing. We believe strongly that manufacturing is the only thing that will help bring the country out of its economic and social challenges of today”, he added.
