The Federal Government has been urged to put in place necessary measures to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company to boost the development of the manufacturing sector.
A lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Prof. Sanni Lateef, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Lateef, who attributed the high cost of manufacturing, especially the raw materials to the high price of locally manufactured machine and equipment in the country, said revival of the company would lower their prices. “The indigenous manufacturers and technology developers in Nigeria have actually done their best in terms of technology. “What is responsible for the high price of their products is the high cost of manufacturing. “Government needs to close its eyes, face the fear and do it anyway. Let Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill be completed and work.
“When this company is working, it will reduce the cost of raw materials for manufacturing and when this is reduced, it will simultaneously reduce the cost of finished products going to the poor masses.’’
Lateef said that if the cost of the products was cheaper, the Nigerian graduates would be encouraged to go into agriculture and manufacturing as it would require little capital to start business.
The don also advised the Federal Government to increase its attention to the incubation centres to boost the capacity of the indigenous fabricators, saying attention to this centres had diminished considerably. He said that part of the local fabricators problems was that they sub-contract part of their work to other fabricators, because sometimes they lacked the needed idea or necessary equipment. “Incubation centre is supposed to mentor people to be able to develop new technology and new products to the market.’’ Lateef called for synergy among the engineers and the local fabricators, rather than clamouring for personal interest. “The local fabricators who have indigenous knowledge may not be certificated but they are very sharp and brilliant.
“This was demonstrated when someone fabricated flash drier and the Gate Foundation through cassava Adding Value for African assisted him. “After sometime, he was able to develop international drier of high standard.
“The Malawian Government bought one from him and they were very happy when they installed it. And this was a synergy.’’ “Everybody must come together and cooperate to make it work,’’ he said.