The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin has assured the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello that his country is fully ready to swing into action for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel company any time soon.The Ambassador, who played host to the governor, at the Russian Embassy in Abuja today, February 3, said that his home government is now eager to come and complete the steel complex following the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin in October, 2019.
He said that they were now waiting for the Nigerian Government to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) before the work begins on site.
Governor Yahaya Bello, who was accompanied on the visit by his Chief of Staff, Jamiu Abdulkareem Asuku; Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Idris Asiwaju Asiru; State’s Accountant General, Jibrin Momoh and state’s Audutor-General , Okala Yusuf, said his visit was to convey the goodwill message of the people of Kogi state to the Russian Government through the embassy for the Oct 22, 2019 Sochi Agreement between the Russian Government and Nigeria to revive the Steel Company.
The Governor told the Russian Ambassador that Kogi state had enormous human and natural potentialities even as he asked the Russian Government to partner with the state to develop Agricultural and energy sectors.
The Governor commended President Buhari for taking up negotiations with the Russian Government to revive the steel company, adding that Ajaokuta will make Nigeria the industrial hub of the world.
