Governor Bello

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Tuesday promised to support Global Infrastructure Limited, concessionaires of National Iron-Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, in executing its new mandate of resuscitating the company.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor gave the assurance barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari granted the concession rights to the company.

Bello said his administration was committed to development of infrastructure and human capacity.

He emphasised the need to propel the state and country toward industrialisation through exploitation of its solid minerals and other natural resources.

“This is why your visit to Kogi State is both significant and historic,’’ the governor said.

Bello, however, advised the new management of the company to take its corporate social responsibility, especially in the communities very seriously.

He cautioned against “sharp practice’’ of the past where investors operated on “win-loss system’’.

The governor noted that under that system, investors made “their gains, plundered the company and left the communities impoverished’’.

Earlier, the leader of the technical team and Sole Administrator of NIOMCO, Mr Bernard Ifechi Nnagha, assured that past mistakes would be corrected.

Nnagha said the concession was important because it would free Ajaokuta Steel Company from encumbrances, adding that NIOMCO would harness materials for all steel producing companies in the country. (NAN)