The Managing Director of African Industry Group, Mr. Alop Gupta, through his representative, says the reason he established an integrated Iron Ore, Mining processing and Steel production plant, African Natural Resources and Minerals Limited (ANRML) in Nigeria is to help the Nigerian government achieve its desire to bridge the gap of steel importation into the country.
Mr. Gupta said it would help to improve Nigeria’s mining sector.
He said steel importation was one of the major set back to the Nigerian industrial growth and development and urgent measures should be done to bridge the gap in the Nigeria steel sector for economic development to thrive.
These and some other issues were part of the discussion that Mr. Gupta and some other stakeholders raised at the just concluded three day summit on Nigeria Africa Natural Resources held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Mr. Gupta expressed worry over the huge amount Nigeria government spends on the importation of steel into the country.
“Every year about three point three billion Dollars is spent on steel importation into Nigeria which affect the foreign reserve and the Nigerian economy and there is a need to tackle this for industrial growth and development to thrive in Nigeria,” he said.
Mr. Gupta also explained his desire to establish the steel processing plant in Nigeria.
“The African Natural resources Limited has set up an integrated Iron Ore mining, processing and steel production plant in Gujeni Village, kaduna state and it is the first of its kind in Nigeria and is one of the largest Nigeria’s non oil foreign direct investment of more than six hundred million US Dollars”
On this isuue of job creation, he said “this mining and processing plant has created job opportunities for more than four thousand Nigerians and the company has contributed meaningful towards community development.”
The Managing Director also explained that the company has also carried out it’s corporate social responsibility to its neighbouring communities.
He said, “ provision of water facilities, electricity, good roads and renovation of schools and also provision of scholarship to the local communities as part of our corporate social responsibility.”
The managing Director expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government in supporting this business venture, adding that the company would do all that was necessary to enhance the mining activities in Nigeria for a sustainable economic development.
Confidence Okwuchi
