Ajaokuta Steel to Roll Out Wire Rods Early Next Year

BARING unforeseen circumstances, the AJaokuta Steel Company Limited, would, early next year, start producing wire rods for use of  major civil and construction engineering contractors.

The former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Salihu lbrahim (retd), who disclosed this said " we had installed an uparalleled range of quality-testing assurance and research facilities at Ajaokuta, which we will use to vastly upgrade the quality of wire rods in the Nigerian market to meet highest global standards."

Speaking in Ajaokuta, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between his company, ZARUBEZHSTRIMONTAZH Ventures Nigeria Limited and the Ajaokuta  Steel on technical assistance on Wire Rod Mill, his company, Salihu insisted that it would bring the entire plant to roar into production of liquid steel, from raw materials which uniquely abound in this country.

Salihu, who is chairman of the company, assured that " our company will stand firm through the world- class technology in this plant. They had launched same in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Ukraine and other countries, turning them into proud companies of steel producers. We intend to also  transform Nigeria."

The sole administrator of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Isah Joseph Onobere, disclosed that the Federal Government was determined to make the company operational to it fullest.

He explained that in furtherance of the MoU signed on March 5 with Reprom Company Nigeria Limited, for the provision of technical assistance for Billet conversion and operation of the  light section and Bar Mill LSM, which has translated  to some positive engagement in the light section and Bar Mill, adding that in view of that,  the company has  mobilised its experts to site for reactivation plan.

He stated that in an effort to consolidate on gains, the management has engaged MZV Nigeria Limited in discussions on possibility of adopting the same approach for the Wire Rod Mill.

He added that with signing of the MoU, hope of lighting the furnace to commence full operations  with Reprom Company Nigeria Limited is now firmly rooted with that of MZV/ ZSM.

" The MoU is essentially intended to have Messrs MZV/ZSM provide technical assistance and source for spare and consumables for Billet conversion at the Wire Rod Mill (WRM)," he stressed.

source from wireworld