Chief Sunny Onuesoke, Chairman/CEO of DAS Energy Services Limited, has commended PresidentBola Ahmed Tinubu for the federal government’s recent commitment to reviving the moribund Premium Steel and Mines Limited (formerly Delta Steel Company, DSC), located in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State.
Onuesoke, a former PDP gubernatorial aspirant and vocal advocate for the revival of the steel company, lauded the federal government’s intervention during the recent inspection visit by the Minister of Steel Development, Abubakar Audu.
The Minister had assured stakeholders that the Tinubu administration is determined to facilitate the full-scale revival of the plant, with projections of 5,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic diversification.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ministerial inspection, Onuesoke praised the move as a major step towards transforming Delta State and Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
“Steel is the bedrock of any development in the world. It is used for vehicles, spacecraft manufacturing, heavy machinery, and even the chips in computers. No country can grow without a robust steel sector. This is a strategic asset, and its revival will serve as a catalyst for allied industries, significantly reduce unemployment, and stimulate broad-based economic growth,” he said.
Onuesoke stressed that the revival of the steel company has the potential to create over 21,000 jobs, factoring in multiplier effects across related industries. He added that the project would elevate Warri as a regional economic hub, attracting ancillary industries such as scrap dealers, mechanics, and logistics firms.
“The railway that’s already in place will also support the steel plant’s operations, making the area even more viable for industrialization,” he noted.
Onuesoke further commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his commitment to infrastructural development in the state. He urged the governor to intensify efforts and continue pressuring the federal government to fast-track the resuscitation of the steel plant.
“Governor Oborevwori has done well in infrastructure, but I appeal to him to prioritize this cause. The revival of Premium Steel will not only benefit Delta but the entire nation,” Onuesoke concluded.
This renewed focus on steel development is seen as a critical component of the federal government’s drive to boost local manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and reposition Nigeria as a hub for industrial growth in Africa.
