Ajaokuta Steel: Russia-Ukraine Crisis Delayed Delivering Project – Minister

The Federal Government of Nigeria Has Blamed the Outbreak of Covid-19, and Now the Russian/ukrainian Conflict, for Its Inability to Meet Its Earlier Target of Delivering the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill Project This Year.

Minister of Mines and Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite, Disclosed This During the Weekly Ministerial Briefing Organised by the Presidential Communication Team, Held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria’s Seat of Power.

The Minister Revealed That President Muhammadu Buhari Had Approved the Release of $2million for the Conduct of a Technical Audit of the Mill as Demanded by Russia. He Said the Money Is Still Intact as It Has Not Been Paid Out.

According to Him, the Government Had, Before the Pandemic, Successfully Convinced Russia to Complete the Steel Facility, but Could Not Proceed With the Negotiations Due to Force-majeure.

He Further Disclosed That the Government Moved to Continue the Negotiations With Russia After the Lockdown, but Progress Was Stalled Again Due to the Conflict Between the Country and Ukraine.