Lagos — Vice President Goodluck Jonathan weekend in Abuja reassured that the Federal Government will give all necessary support to indigeneous steel product manufacturers to strenghten the nation's industrial growth.

Jonathan gave the assurance when the Vice Chairman of BSS Steel Rolling Mill Ltd, Otunba Yinusa Ayoola Abioye, paid him a courtesy call.

The vice president noted the increasing needs of the nation for quality steel products for industrial and construction purposes and said that government will support all genuine initiatives for their local production.

Apart from assisting Nigeria to conserve foreign exchange, he expressed the hope that such industrial ventures would provide many job opportunities for the youths.

He commended the industrial activities of Abioye and said that Nigeria needed more men of courage and vision to realise its economic dreams.

Earlier, Abioye thanked the vice president for granting him and his company's directors audience in spite of his very tight schedules.

He said that the proposed N20 billion steel rolling mill of his company in Abese, near Ewekoro, Ogun State, is expected to start production within the next 18 months.

Abioye said that the factory, when fully operational, will provide more than 1,000 skilled jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs for young Nigerians.

He also said that the company plans to generate 50 megawatts of electricity within the factory complex in future.