The Minister of State for Steel Development, Hon. Maigari Ahmadu, has announced an innovative plan by the Ministry to address food insecurity by constructing greenhouse farms using scrap metals from abandoned vessels across Nigeria’s waterways.
In an interview with newsmen, Hon. Ahmadu explained that the “Vessel to Grain House Initiative” involves partnering with four indigenous steel companies to recover abandoned vessels and repurpose them into greenhouses. These greenhouses will be strategically located around city centers to cultivate crops, contributing significantly to food security.
The initiative also aims to tackle insecurity, such as banditry in the Northwest and criminality in the Southeast.
“We have a wonderful project called the Vessel to Grain House Initiative. We are partnering with four indigenous steel companies to recover abandoned vessels and turn them into greenhouses. These will be located around city centers to produce crops and contribute to food security,” Hon. Ahmadu said.
“This initiative will have a significant impact, especially in areas plagued by insecurity, such as the Southeast and Northeast.”
Hon. Ahmadu also addressed the status of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, clarifying that it is not moribund but operating at a reduced capacity.
He assured that significant output is expected from the company within the next six months.
“We cannot look away from Ajaokuta; it belongs to us, and we should be hopeful. Ajaokuta is not moribund as often portrayed. The government has engaged professionals like AfDB and UNIDO to assess it, and they have reported back to the President. We should see progress in the next month or two,” he said.
The Ajaokuta Steel Mill, a multi-billion-dollar integrated steel plant established in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has faced numerous administrative setbacks.
However, the Federal Government recently announced plans to raise approximately N35 billion for the Ajaokuta Light Steel Mill by leveraging the local financial market.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, estimates that reviving the Ajaokuta steel mill will cost between $2 billion and $5 billion.
Furthermore , Hon. Ahmadu revealed plans to train 100,000 Nigerians in various aspects of steel development and metallurgy at the Metallurgical Training Institute in Onitsha, Anambra State.