By Akudoro Gloria, Abuja
Day after their inauguration by President Bola Tinubu, ministers of Solid Mineral Development, Mr Dele Alake and his counterpart in the Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu have assumed duty.
New National Star recalls that President Tinubu swore-in 45 recently confirmed ministers-designate at State House Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday.
While speaking for the first time as minister, Alake said the ministry is key to the administration towards fast tracking its vision towards the nation’s economic diversification.
While promised to engender a roadmap for the sector, Alake urged staff to prepare for tasks ahead as he aims to deliver on the renewed hope mandate to Nigerians and eliminate civil service bottlenecks for effective performance.
“The ministry is key to the administration and the President wanted someone that he can trust to deliver effectively, So that position was one that I specifically asked Mr President to give me and he obliged.
“I have worked as a Commissioner for Information to the President while he was the Governor of Lagos state and I understand how you civil servants operate.
“I wont tolerate any bottlenecks that would hinder my job. So any files that gets to you must be attended to in an hour.
“We won’t allow bottlenecks to stifle our set goals. If you can really sit down to listen, you would understand that, Hydrocarbon is fading out and the attention of the world is shifting to solid minerals. So, we must get it right,” Alake said.
On his part, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu pledged the commitment to review the ‘Ajaokuta Steel Project’ and ensure its completion so that Nigeria can be a part of the G-20 industrialized nations.
“The mandate of Mr. President is to ensure that we get it right in the steel sector. Our past leaders recognised the importance of steel development but lacked the political will to achieve its objectives.
“The steel development is synonymous to Ajaokuta Steel plant whose commencement has been over 40 years ago. Our objective is to start the engine and ensure that we produce at least a small sheet of steel within this administration.
“It is a known fact that steel is the bedrock of any nation’s development, if gotten right, it may be the beginning of our industrial revolution,” the minister said.
The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Maigari Ahmadu was also at the event called for synergy among stakeholders and staff to enable the ministers perform optimally.