The recent inauguration of Milton Steel Manufacturing Company in Anambra State gave rise to a claim made by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on his verified Facebook page. According to Governor Soludo, Milton Steel is the first steel production firm in the entire South-East region. However, fact-checks by Explainer reveal that this claim is false.
Governor Soludo’s Facebook post reads, “Today I commissioned Milton Steel Manufacturing company founded by Hon. Innocent Ojike (Ojicam), who is also the company’s majority shareholder. The company, located in Awkuza, Oyi LGA, is the first steel facility in the South-East of Nigeria and will manufacture rods and steel of all sizes, essential resources for full industrialization. As a government, we stand ready to provide every assistance. We have signed an agreement with EEDC (Enugu Electricity Distribution Company} to provide the state with 24-hour electricity. We will put in necessary infrastructure to make this happen now that power is on the concurrent list.”
Explainer’s findings have shown the existence of other manufacturing companies in the South-East, including Anambra. Long before the commissioning of Milton Steel Manufacturing Company, Emeife Industrial Ltd, based in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra, has been operating and producing steel since 2006. The company has been distributing its products across Nigeria. The Explainer findings show the company still operates partially in Anambra State. Another company, Danchris Steel Rods Company, also operated in Anambra but has since ceased operations. It was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on April 29, 2019, under RC number 2875888.The Explainer fact checkers can therefore concluded that the claim made by Governor Soludo about Milton Steel Company being the first steel facility in South-Eastern Nigeria is false.