By Benneth Oghifo
The regional executives of SON were on an official visit to one of the foremost indigenous steel rolling companies in Nigeria, Dana Steel for a routine inspection of the industrial edifice. Led by the regional coordinator, Mr. Dauda Yakubu in the company of the Katsina state coordinator Mr. Adamu Muhammed and the other state coordinators, the SON team expressed their satisfaction on the process and the quality of the products from the company.
Hinged on its values proposition, Dana Steel promotes a corporate culture focused on the industrialization of Nigeria geared towards providing the best quality steel products and impeccable operational excellence. Its corporate social responsiveness is evident in its contribution to the industrialization of Nigerian economy with the acquisition of the steel formerly known as Katsina Steel. Reminiscent of the industrialization drive of Dana Group, the steel rolling company in Katsina has continued to roar loudly in productive noise again, injecting life into the region, particularly, Katsina State.
Yakubu, the SON regional coordinator, expressed his delight and satisfaction of the level of the company’s compliance in the production of quality steel, speaking during the official visit, he stated that “we are satisfied with the level of compliance of Dana Steel. We commend the company for her uncompromising commitment to upholding the production of quality steel for the Nigeria market and other sub-Saharan countriesâ€. The primary focus of the company from inception is premised on steering Nigeria‘s industrial development, especially in the steel sector in such a way that the country would be able to put up a competitive stance against the invading onslaughts from European countries in the area of steel importation into African countries.
A testament to the operational excellence of Dana Steel, the satisfaction of the SON executives in the production process of the company is evident that the gritty and unwavering commitment in the production of quality steel in the country has continuously been at the fore of the company’s management. The trajectory growth of the locally produced steel and the current wave of the top-notch quality standard of the steel in the country championed by Dana Steel has galvanized the company to explore local content in its production process.
Often dubbed the bedrock of many a global economy’s industrialisation, the steel industry has over the years been starved of resourceful management, however, with the privatisation of the sector, the industry is once again on the path of lofty heights and among this privately owned rolling steel companies, Dana Steel has been steadfast and dogged in its commitment to reviving the sector, making it the pride of the country and a major contributor to her GDP.
It will be recalled that when Dana Group bought the Kastina Steel Rolling Mills in 2006, under the Federal Government privatisation programme, it was moribund, having been closed due basically to the paucity of funds and lack of good corporate governance. Dana Steel, since its business operation, has achieved enviable footprints to become a mainstream rolling steel company in the country. With its management experience on serial portfolio investments and operational efficiencies in the deployment of both human and capital resources, Dana Steel has continued to operate under a consolidated, regional structure with a strategy that is founded on standardized practices.
In the same vein, a visit by the Senate couple of months back, Senator Ben Bruce and his committee commended the Management of Dana group for its massive contribution to the Nigerian economy and for transforming the old Katsina Steel Rolling Mill, despite the present economic challenges in the country.
Senator Ben Bruce said he was impressed with the level of transformation at the steel rolling mill, saying, “We are happy with the giant strides recorded by Dana Group in turning around the old Katsina Steel Rolling mill. The plant is massive and the level of work done already despite the present economic challenges is highly commendable.â€
As a vibrant sector of the economy, the Dana Steel also generates economic activities in downstream industries, creates job opportunities and acquisition of technical skills, and helps in the transfer of technology and provision of machine parts and tools. This particular project is being executed with 100 percent locally-sourced raw materials.
As a company that’s not only cocooned in its business operations, its corporate social responsiveness has been truly impactful and points to the fact that human capacity development and developmental projects are weaved into the company’s DNA. CSR has remained a salient part of her commitment to the Katsina communities.
Having pride itself as an enabler for future generations, it has continued to contribute to the community in a meaningful way by helping those who are in need thereby truly making a difference in the world. One of such programs is the free feeding program of the company. Dana Steel currently offers free food to 1,000 pupils in Katsina State to complement the Federal Government Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
