Kogi SDP Candidate, Natasha Akpoti Lauds Senate For Passing Bill on Ajaokuta $1b Funding

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Kogi Central senatorial district, Barr. Natasha Akpoti has commended the Nigerian Senate for passing the bill seeking for one billion dollar funding for the completion of Ajaokuta steel company.


The Kogi born Ajaokuta campaigner gave the commendation on Thursday while speaking on the journey so far on the struggle to revitalise the moribund steel company in her district.

While congratulating fellow compatriots for the their resolve to make Ajaokuta works for the masses, she pointed out that Ajaokuta remains pivotal in the Nigeria dream of industrialization and economic diversification.

Speaking on the need to collaborate towards achieving  national goal, Akpoti stressed that the collaboration between patriotic Nigerians across states and political platforms shows the strong power of Nigerian vision, adding that to make Nigeria better is stronger than any negativity.

The Bill slated for concurrence, was presented by Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State, APC, and presided over by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu from Enugu State, PDP.

The Upper Chamber said, the sum of one billion dollar from the Federal Government share of Excess Crude revenue be devoted to the immediate completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The bill stated the monies in the Fund shall be applied by the minister subject to appropriation by the National Assembly only for the purpose:

(a)The construction, improvement, extension, enlargement and replacement of infrastructure and works, including the provision, acquisition, improvement and replacement of other capital assets required in respect of or in connection with the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Company project.

(b) The acquisition of land and of any right or interest in or over land and in respect of the use of any invention.

( c ) The carrying on of any survey, research or investigation preparatory to the under taking of any such purpose as is referred to in paragraph (a) and (b) or the formation of any plan or scheme for the development, improvement, of Ajaokuta Steel Company project.

It will be recalled that in the last three years Natasha Akpoti has been championing the advocacy for Ajaokuta revitalisation, the struggle she took to the hallowed chamber on March 1st and revealed the conspiracy behind Ajaokuta steel, the need to create one billion emergency lifeline,  proposed the establishment of Steel Authority and drafting of laws that will guide and protect the steel sector when fully revamped.

While advocating for the revival of the moribund steel, Natasha strongly kicked against the concession of the 12th largest steel plant in the world, saying Nigeria has the capacity to manage the steel plant.

According to her, "I am not against privatization as per say, but the way privatization is handled in Nigeria, it is nothing other than the sharing of asset amongst political friends", she said.

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