The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared full support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her call for funding to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
The party’s chairman in the state, Muhammed Sanni Gambo, said, “You are our pride, we stand with you,” in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja.
His remarks followed the senator’s plea for increased funding for Ajaokuta Steel during a budget defence session, which reportedly led to a heated exchange with the Senate committee chairman, Patrick Ndubueze.
Gambo praised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s representation, describing it as reflective of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kogi State. He urged her to remain focused and not be distracted by attempts to undermine her efforts.
“The senator’s passion for Ajaokuta Steel is not new; it is a promise she made during her campaign,” he said.
The PDP chairman described her as “a pride of the 10th Senate” and expressed confidence in her capacity to deliver meaningful results for her constituents.
He also stressed the importance of a functional steel industry to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and technological transformation.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Tuesday proposed N6.04 billion for personnel costs for workers of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in the 2026 budget.
Details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill show that the steel company was allocated a total of N6.69 billion for the year. Of this amount, N6.04 billion, representing about 90.4 per cent, is earmarked for personnel expenses.
The steel plant has yet to produce steel commercially more than four decades after it was conceived.
