By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily– The candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election and prospective Chairman of the soon to be inaugurated Russian- Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has disclosed that the stalled revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company is the fault of Nigeria and not of Russia Federation.
Ajaokuta Steel Company has been a topical issue over its comatose state despite pledges of revival by successive administrations.
Russia is said to be involved in several consultations in the quest to resuscitate the project, which has potentials of being the cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialisation.
Okonkwo made the assertion on Monday in Abuja during a press conference on the formal inauguration of the Nigerian Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NRCCI).
According to Okonkwo, the failed resuscitation of the Ajaokuta project was connected to the clash of geo-political interests and wranglings among external powers and their internal collaborators.
He said: “Russia really do not have any more override on Ajaokuta but they have made themselves available to the Nigerian government and should they decide to put in place modalities, then equipments and manufacturing to help resuscitate and revalidate the way it is required at this stage, the Russians are ready to look at it.
“I am aware that there was a discussion going on at some point. But Ajaokuta is just about the exclusive affairs of the Nigerian government. But if they decide to invite Russia, Russia have expressed their interest and made themselves available and even started taking some steps towards coming to help. So the ball is in the court of the Nigerian side.
“I think and I repeat, the records are there. I don’t speak for the Russians but I am fully aware of everything related to Ajaokuta. We also have a one time Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel, which is an oversight ministry for Ajaokuta. He can also tell you with all levels of assurance and guarantee that there is nothing about Ajaokuta that has to do with Russia. It is more of our own policy summersault and a whole lot of conflicting international interests in the affairs of Nigeria.
“Russia, during the setting up of the agreement, was prepared to train a whole lot of Nigerians who would have been back and working in the industry (Ajaokuta). I can tell you that scholarships were awarded to those thousands of Nigerians and even more, they went to Russia and they were trained fully and came back here. Only few of them were admitted into the industry.
“For the records and in fact, if you go to Ajaokuta, you will weep for you and me. Everything was done there. It was a technology ahead of technology, and I can tell you also that at the same time, shortly after Nigeria made the agreement, there was such agreement with India, after Ajaokuta, and now they are flying with it.
“The issue of sale is world politics, those countries that did not accept to transfer their technology to other parts of the world make sure they use all they can to stop it in Nigeria. Obviously, with cooperation and collaboration of internal people here, like you and me. This is not something we want to reveal but take it that Russia did more and they are willing to do a lot more if need be and if they are invited.”
Speaking further, Okonkwo said the Federal Government and the Russian Federation have established the Nigeria-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost the economic relations between both countries.
He said the principal objectives of NRCCI include promoting commerce, industry, trade, and ancillary services, foster, advance and protect commercial, industrial, trade, and professional enterprises and, without limitation, other activities and business undertakings of all kinds in the locality and elsewhere.
According to him, “NRCCI also aims to study, promote, protect and extend industrial and commercial relations between individuals, firms, companies, corporations, institutions, and associations of Nigeria and Russia as well as provide Nigerian and Russian businesses with a forum for contacts, discussion of common interest, information, advice, and collation of ideas for the improvement of economic and business interests.
“We will further promote, organize and participate in seminars, conferences, and trade missions between our two countries as well as liaise with other Chambers of Commerce and bodies for the advancements of trade and commerce.”
The Anambra gubernatorial hopeful said the NRCCI shall also act as marketing agents and provide recruitment services, provide resources for the protection of traders and manufacturers as well as organise seminars, symposia, conferences, trade fairs, and exhibitions for the promotion of business and technological advancement in industry, and agriculture.
Speaking during the occasion, the Deputy Head of Mission, Russia Embassy, Amb. Valery Shaposhnikov, decried the low volume of trade between Nigeria and Russia, stressing the need for Nigerian products to meet international standards.
This is even as the envoy said the trade volume of both countries is $6.8 million.
Shaposhnikov noted that his country is interested in buying agro products from Nigeria.
According to him, “We do supply fertiliser and machines to Nigeria and we are buying from Nigeria too, but the product needs to be good and also meet international standards for the volume to rise.
“We want Nigeria to produce more products and we want them to be of high quality.”
The NRCCI will be formally inaugurated on Tuesday, September 28, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.