The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bwari, says the ministry generated the sum of N2.97 billion as revenue in 2018 .
Bwari made the announcement on Monday while giving a three-year account of stewardship (2016-2018) on Monday in Abuja.
The Minister said that the overall revenue generated by the ministry from royalties and fees had improved from N2.08 billion in 2015 to N3.92 billion in 2017 and N2.97 billion as at October 2018.
He said that under this administration, the sector had witnessed a steady rise in its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) from 0.3 per cent in 2015 to 0.6 per cent in 2016.
Commenting on development on Ajeokuta Steel company, Bwari said that that 11 companies had indicated interest to operate the Steel Company.
According to him, the Federal Government is not ready to hand over the company now, as all infrastructure required for the commencement of the company such as rail, dredging of Lokoja and Warri ports are yet to be completed.
He said the company would be handed over to a competent organisation with financial and technical capability, but preferably a Nigeria company, to manage the steel industry as soon as all infrastructure needed were completed.
“The policy of the government is that it will not release Ajaokuta steel just like that; what we are planning to do is to regulate and create enabling environment for the company to strive.
