President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that his government is making efforts to start the nation’s steel industry all over again.
“We are making efforts to start our steel industry all over again. I see vast opportunities for both the country and those who invest here.”
President Buhari who spoke on Tuesday when he received in audience, Executive Members of Association of Africa Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), led by the chairman, Mr. Jeff Nemeth at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, regretted that Nigeria though, recognized its problems early enough, but did not achieve much result.
President Buhari said that to reverse the trend: “we must avoid the mistakes made in the past by both government and manufacturers, and we are ready to get investment from all quarters, so that we can improve the lives of our people.”
The President lamented that Nigeria failed to develop on automobile initiatives which were started in Bauchi, Kaduna and Ibadan, but preferred to depend too much on oil as mainstay of the economy.
Responding, Nemeth said that the Association comprised potential investors who are ready to unlock investment potentials on the African continent.
“We are ready to offer strategic partnership with Nigeria. We want to promote investor-friendly regulatory frameworks and sustainable manufacturing.
“We will equally promote infrastructure development, job creation, and skills transfer.”
The AAAM chairman sought the support of the Presidency in the realization of the vision and mission of the association.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has assured international and local human rights groups that he is studying the report of the judicial inquiry into the clashes between soldiers and members of the Shiite movement in Nigeria, led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
The President said that soon, after studying the report, he will make appropriate response.
He said that his commitment to human rights remains unchanged, saying that it is a cardinal component of the democratic order.
It would be recalled that when the clashes occurred in December, President Buhari had told the nation during the Presidential Media Chat that he was awaiting the outcome of the report of inquiry into the incident before making appropriate response.
He stressed that his administration believes in due process and the rule of law, adding that any response to the report would follow this principle, adding that he will continue to act in the larger interest of the public to prevent such violent incidents. [myad]
Advertisement
