Steel Devt’ Ministry Seeks Strengthening of NMDC, Jos to Align with FG’s Mandate
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Ministry of Steel Development, has sought to ensure that National Metallurgical Development Centre’ s (NMDC) activities and programmes align with the federal government’s strategic objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chris Osa Isokounwu, gave the hint after concluding a two-day familiarisation visit to the centre in Jos, Plateau State.
Isokpunwu stated the visit aimed to strengthen oversight, align mandates, identify gaps, promote synergy, and generate policy inputs to drive metallurgical and industrial development in Nigeria.
The Perm Sec in a statement, weekend in Abuja, noted his delegation received a strategic briefing on NMDC’s mandate, achievements, and current programmes.
He stated that core research and metallurgical facilities were inspected to identify areas for improvement, critical challenges, resource gaps, and areas requiring Federal Government intervention were identified.
The Permanent Secretary added that collaboration between the ministry and NMDC will be strengthened to ensure alignment with national metallurgical and industrial development goals.
He revealed the ministry’s commitment to effective oversight and policy guidance was underscored by this visit, ensuring that NMDC’s programmes contribute to the federal government’s industrialization agenda. “This familiarisation tour is expected to yield positive outcomes for the development of Nigeria’s metallurgical sector.” he added.
Speaking earlier during his welcome address, the Director General/Chief Executive of the center, Engr. Prof. Linus Asuquo, said that the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) Jos, Nigeria’s premier research institution in minerals and steel development, is happy to host a landmark visit of delegation from the Ministry ably led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, as he (DG) during the visit, presented a comprehensive overview of NMDC’s achievements, challenges, and future plans.
Asuquo, highlighted some of the Centres’ achievement, noting: “We are confident that under your stewardship, NMDC will receive the needed attention to fulfill its mandate. We assure you of our unwavering cooperation and commitment as partners in the drive to revitalize Nigeria’s steel sector for the benefit of our great nation.”
He added the Permanent Secretary’s visit marks a new dawn of collaboration, progress, and renewed hope for NMDC Jos and the Nigerian steel industry, as the centre looks forward to continued support and engagement with the ministry to realize its mandate as the technical driver of Nigeria’s steel and industrial development.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied on the visit and tour of the facility by the Director Human Resources Management, Dr. Mrs Ijeoma Idika, other technical directors and technical aids from the ministry.
