Business
Reps Urge Completion Of Ajaokuta Steel Plant
The House of Representatives, has urged the Federal Government to complete the Ajaokuta steel plant and Itakpe Iron Ore facility before their privatisation.
The legislators explained that the completion of the steel production plants would make the 20-20-20 vision realisable with its attendant economic, social and technological benefits.
The House on Tuesday in Abuja, stressed that the projects should not be suspended under any guise, adding that “it is only the government worldwide that can provide such needed infrastructure”.
The Representatives also called on the Federal Government to urgently make adequate provision for agriculture and revamp the country’s manufacturing sector by providing the needed capital and power.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Sadiq Mohammed, which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.
Moving the motion, Mohammed noted that Nigeria had invested heavily in groundnuts in the North, Cocoa in the South West as well as Coal and Rubber in the East, years after independence.
He however, observed that government had neglected the development of agriculture, iron and steel overtime.
Mohammed expressed worry about the “much talked about government’s policy of diversification of the economy without using the available opportunities, resources and political will to diversify same.”
He pointed out that the advanced countries built and completed a lot of their critical sector projects before embarking on privatisation, urging his colleagues to support the motion, saying that development was critical to national development.
The motion entitled “Diversification of Nigeria’s Economy’’, was referred to the Committees on Industry, land, Transport, Works, Water resources, Power and Steel.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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