The Federal Government has taken a bold step towards putting in place a mechanism for guiding operations and meaningful development of the Metals sector in the Country.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Diezani Allison–Madueke announced that in Abuja while declaring open a one-day Stakeholders Workshop on the Draft Metallurgical Regulatory Bill and Manual organised by the Ministry.

In the words of the Minister: “The objective of this workshop is  to review and harmonise the contents of the Draft Metallurgical Bill with the Regulatory Manual produced by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development for the enactment of relevant legislation to regulate practices in the Metallurgical industry”

Mrs. Allison-Madueke said that when the Draft Bill and Manual become operational after enactment, the documents would facilitate the effective discharge of the Ministry’s regulatory functions in the Metals sector.

The Minister noted that the Workshop was an integral part of the Ministry’s effort in facilitating the realisation of the present administration’s agenda and vision of making Nigeria one of the twenty most developed nations in the world by year 2020.

Mrs. Allison–Madueke observed that the economic development of any nation is largely enhanced by the output of its steel industry, adding that that was why the present administration was committed to the revitalisation of the Steel sector.

The Minister disclosed that Nigeria’s per capital consumption of Steel is 10kg which is significantly less than the world average of 130kg.  She added that every tonne of Steel not produced in this country results to huge loss of revenue to the country.

The Minister said that the workshop was necessitated based on the recognition by government that most operations in the Steel sector are carried out without the guidance of government regulations. ‘‘Consequently, little or no attention is given to Health, Safety and Environmental requirements’’, said the Minister.

Mrs. Allison–Madueke also observed that Nigeria had continued to suffer substantial loss of revenue due to the non-regulation of the Steel sector.

The Minister urged the participants to make meaningful contributions towards the realisation of a Draft Metallurgical Regulatory Bill and Manual that would address the challenges of the sector.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Steel, Hon. Aminu Shagari commended the Ministry for organising the workshop and inviting relevant stakeholders to participate.

Hon. Shagari noted that that was the type of partnership that was required to develop the Steel sector.

The House Committee Chairman assured that the Draft Metallurgical Regulatory Bill and Manual would be given accelerated hearing when submitted to the National Assembly for enactment to ensure speedy development of the sector.