WHEN WILL AJAOKUTA STEEL WORK? | Barr. Sulaiman
Honestly, the question we should be asking ourselves is when or how will Ajaokuta start working. I will answer this very important question but permit me to take you back through memory lane, a little. As much as possible, many advocates for revival of
Ajaokuta Steel have written on the problems militating against the realization of Ajaokuta dream. There are obviously three identified level of conspiracies against Ajaokuta Steel.
There's the international conspiracy of some developed nations, including the IMF, who don't want to see Nigeria become an industrialized nation. The IMF even sponsored a technically jaundiced report stating that Ajaokuta steel is no longer viable. If that is the case, why is RUSSIA eager to come back to Nigeria and complete the project? http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/russia-faults-fayemi-expresses-readiness-complete-ajaokuta-steel/
The second is the national conspiracy. This is the Nigerian cabals who wants to appropriate the Steel project as their personal estate or the highly placed political office holders seeking to hold down the Ajaokuta Steel dream in perpetuity. The national conspiracy against Ajaokuta exists mainly in the discernible lack of political will of the government of Nigeria to actualize Ajaokuta project. Former President Jonathan and President Buhari made campaign promises to Anebira that they will see to the completion of Ajaokuta. The fact remains that if Ajaokuta Steel, in view of its viability and strategic importance as catalyst for an industrialized Nigeria, was to be in States like Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Maiduguri or Zamfara State, the attention and sincere efforts of Federal Government will have been focused there in view of the recent clamour for diversification of Nigerian economy. Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Arewa Youths Forum and all pressure groups in Arewa (obviously the core Northern States) would have since been making cases for completion of the Steel Complex. They are silent on the issue and the attention and intensified effort of President Buhari is currently concentrated on finding oil in the chad basin.
Kayode Fayemi is only playing politics with Ajaokuta. If he really desires a revived, rescusitated and working Ajaokuta Steel, he knows that the original builders ought to be called back to complete the project. President Buhari can give this Presidential order and mandate the Vice President to call back the original builders to site. What's so difficult about this? Did he not ordered the search for oil in Chad basin without recourse to anybody? The political will by Federal Government to complete Ajaokuta is lacking, period.
The last in the hierarchy of conspiracy is the local conspiracy. These are people who, through covert or overt act and, in pursuance of their selfish interest, contribute to the problems we find ourselves today in relation to Ajaokuta.
We all know how SOLGAS Energy of USA was given Ajaokuta in 2003. Despite their professed competence and government's acknowledgment of their competency to manage Ajaokuta, they fumbled. GINL, the popularly known "Indian company" owned by Alhaji Musa Bello came on board in 2004. The company was busy stealing valuable assets of the Steel Complex they met on ground and selling the iron ore they mined at Itakpe to their local and international customers. Our boys in Ogaminana protested on 22nd February, 2008 and impounded six trucks of the company going to Portharcourt to sell iron ore (instead of using it to develop the steel complex) . The police invaded Ogaminana town and massacred over 50 people (according to official report) on 26th February, 2008. Late President Yar'Adua terminated the concession agreement with GINL in 2008 upon Report of Panel of Enquiry that savagely indicted GINL of asset stripings.
The company, GINL, took the Federal Government to Arbitration in England. The enlightened ones among us know the consequence of fraud been committed in any written agreement. Outright termination of the contract is the only option an Barr. Sulaiman:
This was what Late President Yar'Adua did. When GINL saw the handwriting on the wall that they cannot succeed in the Arbitration (I have the proceeding) Bello Adokie SAN comes handy to negotiate for amicable settlement out of court. Anybody who say that any sum of money was awarded to GINL against the Federal Government by the London Arbitration is one of the greatest liar on earth. The sum of $520 Million damages being bandied around as damages to GINL was the handwork of a phantom Presidential Advisory Committee stage-managed by a local saboteur in favour of GINL.
Through settlement last year, Ajaokuta was wrestled from the hands of GINL but they still have Itakpe in their grips. Unfortunately, the crafty Alhaji Musa Bello, in an effort to get back Ajaokuta through the back door, approached GYB and a company (AJAOKUTA KOGI NIGERIA LIMITED) was registered. The name of this company, as phony and funny as it sounds, have been registered and set to take Ajaokuta steel. This man, Alhaji Musa Bello, who is supposed to be declared a persona non-grata in Ebira land, nay Itakpe site, is boldly and confidently aiming to take Ajaokuta despite his thievery and fraud in his first outing as made out in the Panel Report and his glaring deficiency and incompetency to operate the Ajaokuta steel complex. Why is this Alhaji Musa Bello so attractive to our leaders to work with, even to the detriment of the collective aspirations of Anebira? How does these our leaders reason for God's sake?
Back to the question: When will Ajaokuta Steel work?
1. Ajaokuta Steel will work when there's political will by Federal Government that it should work. It is our ancestral heritage but a national asset. It is the Federal Government that has the prerogative of harnessing it (according to the constitution) for the benefit of all Nigerians. But remember, Anebira are the paramount beneficiaries. That's why Presidential and governorship aspirants make the completion of Ajaokuta a campaign promise to Anebira during electioneering campaign.
2. Ajaokuta Steel will work when the Federal Government realizes the need to call the original builders to come back and complete the steel complex. SOLGAS of United State came in 2003, they could not revive Ajaokuta. GINL came in 2004 but only succeeded in stealing and striping the assets of the complex. Now they want to hand it over to a third company and, Alhaji Musa Bello is preparing to take back Ajaokuta!!! He has the chance of succeeding in view of his backing by Kogi State government. Call back TPE of Russia to site and Ajaokuta will work.
3. Ajaokuta Steel will work when the local conspirators agree to work for the common good of the generality of Anebira. That's when their selfish pursuit in relation to Ajaokuta gives way to Ebira patriotism and Ebira advancement.
4. Ajaokuta Steel will work when everyone of us openly or secretly agitate that it should work. It will work when everyone of us could see that our political leaders are wrong in their handling of Ajaokuta issue. We have grown to be able to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. Let's unite against the wrongs of our leaders that negatively affect our collective aspirations. I draw inspiration from the Prophetic tradition that says: "When you see a wrong being committed, try to correct it with your hand; if it is not possible, correct it with your tongue (by speaking against it); and if it is not possible, disabuse your mind from it (that is, negate it with your heart)". Where do you belong out of these? If you cannot change it by your hand or speak against it, please endeavor to appreciate those who volunteer to fight this Ajaokuta course.
All of us cannot do it. Simply appreciate those that are sacrificing their time, energy and money to see that Ajaokuta Steel becomes operational for the benefit of all of us and our future generations. This is the little expected of a true son and daughter of Ebira.Those who condone the wrongs and injustices of our leaders with respect to Ajaokuta are directly aiding the non actualization of
our Ajaokuta dream.
The acclaimed, famed and widely acknowledged valour and bravery of Anebira was not in the number of conquest we recorded in medieval wars. No. It is in the inherent disposition of Anebira to stand up against cheating, a by-product of injustice. He protest cheating with uncommon strength, bravery and gallantry. This is the motivating force of our acclaimed bravery. How then have become so avaricious without recourse to decency, sycophancy without recourse to reason and blatantly timid and indolent without recourse to our collective rights?
5. Ajaokuta will start working when we start asserting our rights through subtle resistance to injustice and cheating by our leaders. As much as we continue to condone these wrongs, cheating and injustices of our leaders, so shall we remain stagnant. The civilized world uses the medium of peaceful demonstration to disseminate their disenchanment or grievances against government's policy. Over the years, all that need to be said and written have been said and written by concerned citizens of Anebira and Nigeria in general. It is time our irrepressible Ebira Youth Congress start drawing the attention of Federal Government through peaceful, orderly and well coordinated rally. I realize they have been doing wonderfully well in this struggle but for lack of financial support. I humbly urge our senior citizens to support the youth body in this agitation. Ajaojuta/Itakpe Revival Movement (ARM) did it in Abuja on 25th January, 2017 which resulted into a call for public hearing by National Assembly.
Some weeks ago, Niger-delta boys organized peaceful demonstration against Kachikwu when he wanted to concession the two refineries in the South to Oando and Agip. Within one week of their demonstration, a hearing was organized at the National Assembly and Kachikwu said he did not intend to do so. He back-pedalled immediately. And he said they were looking for the original builders of the refineries. If, in his wisdom, original builders of the refineries are better placed to effect repairs and service the refineries, why then is Ajaokuta being set for concession to another company (the third one), instead of calling back the original builders to complete the steel complex and handover to the government? What's so difficult in calling them back, especially when they are also eager to come back? You know the secret, Russia will not agree to greese the palm of any government official but a new company will be ready to do that. I suspect that giving Ajaokuta to a new company by government official is "lucrative" than calling back the TPE of Russia.
If only answer Nos. 1 & 2 above can be satisfied, Ajaokuta Steel will work. That is, political will of the federal government and to call back the original builders.
May Allah assist Anebira in our collective aspirations for revival of Ajaokuta. Ameen.
There's the international conspiracy of some developed nations, including the IMF, who don't want to see Nigeria become an industrialized nation. The IMF even sponsored a technically jaundiced report stating that Ajaokuta steel is no longer viable. If that is the case, why is RUSSIA eager to come back to Nigeria and complete the project? http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/russia-faults-fayemi-expresses-readiness-complete-ajaokuta-steel/
The second is the national conspiracy. This is the Nigerian cabals who wants to appropriate the Steel project as their personal estate or the highly placed political office holders seeking to hold down the Ajaokuta Steel dream in perpetuity. The national conspiracy against Ajaokuta exists mainly in the discernible lack of political will of the government of Nigeria to actualize Ajaokuta project. Former President Jonathan and President Buhari made campaign promises to Anebira that they will see to the completion of Ajaokuta. The fact remains that if Ajaokuta Steel, in view of its viability and strategic importance as catalyst for an industrialized Nigeria, was to be in States like Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Maiduguri or Zamfara State, the attention and sincere efforts of Federal Government will have been focused there in view of the recent clamour for diversification of Nigerian economy. Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Arewa Youths Forum and all pressure groups in Arewa (obviously the core Northern States) would have since been making cases for completion of the Steel Complex. They are silent on the issue and the attention and intensified effort of President Buhari is currently concentrated on finding oil in the chad basin.
Kayode Fayemi is only playing politics with Ajaokuta. If he really desires a revived, rescusitated and working Ajaokuta Steel, he knows that the original builders ought to be called back to complete the project. President Buhari can give this Presidential order and mandate the Vice President to call back the original builders to site. What's so difficult about this? Did he not ordered the search for oil in Chad basin without recourse to anybody? The political will by Federal Government to complete Ajaokuta is lacking, period.
The last in the hierarchy of conspiracy is the local conspiracy. These are people who, through covert or overt act and, in pursuance of their selfish interest, contribute to the problems we find ourselves today in relation to Ajaokuta.
We all know how SOLGAS Energy of USA was given Ajaokuta in 2003. Despite their professed competence and government's acknowledgment of their competency to manage Ajaokuta, they fumbled. GINL, the popularly known "Indian company" owned by Alhaji Musa Bello came on board in 2004. The company was busy stealing valuable assets of the Steel Complex they met on ground and selling the iron ore they mined at Itakpe to their local and international customers. Our boys in Ogaminana protested on 22nd February, 2008 and impounded six trucks of the company going to Portharcourt to sell iron ore (instead of using it to develop the steel complex) . The police invaded Ogaminana town and massacred over 50 people (according to official report) on 26th February, 2008. Late President Yar'Adua terminated the concession agreement with GINL in 2008 upon Report of Panel of Enquiry that savagely indicted GINL of asset stripings.
The company, GINL, took the Federal Government to Arbitration in England. The enlightened ones among us know the consequence of fraud been committed in any written agreement. Outright termination of the contract is the only option an Barr. Sulaiman:
This was what Late President Yar'Adua did. When GINL saw the handwriting on the wall that they cannot succeed in the Arbitration (I have the proceeding) Bello Adokie SAN comes handy to negotiate for amicable settlement out of court. Anybody who say that any sum of money was awarded to GINL against the Federal Government by the London Arbitration is one of the greatest liar on earth. The sum of $520 Million damages being bandied around as damages to GINL was the handwork of a phantom Presidential Advisory Committee stage-managed by a local saboteur in favour of GINL.
Through settlement last year, Ajaokuta was wrestled from the hands of GINL but they still have Itakpe in their grips. Unfortunately, the crafty Alhaji Musa Bello, in an effort to get back Ajaokuta through the back door, approached GYB and a company (AJAOKUTA KOGI NIGERIA LIMITED) was registered. The name of this company, as phony and funny as it sounds, have been registered and set to take Ajaokuta steel. This man, Alhaji Musa Bello, who is supposed to be declared a persona non-grata in Ebira land, nay Itakpe site, is boldly and confidently aiming to take Ajaokuta despite his thievery and fraud in his first outing as made out in the Panel Report and his glaring deficiency and incompetency to operate the Ajaokuta steel complex. Why is this Alhaji Musa Bello so attractive to our leaders to work with, even to the detriment of the collective aspirations of Anebira? How does these our leaders reason for God's sake?
Back to the question: When will Ajaokuta Steel work?
1. Ajaokuta Steel will work when there's political will by Federal Government that it should work. It is our ancestral heritage but a national asset. It is the Federal Government that has the prerogative of harnessing it (according to the constitution) for the benefit of all Nigerians. But remember, Anebira are the paramount beneficiaries. That's why Presidential and governorship aspirants make the completion of Ajaokuta a campaign promise to Anebira during electioneering campaign.
2. Ajaokuta Steel will work when the Federal Government realizes the need to call the original builders to come back and complete the steel complex. SOLGAS of United State came in 2003, they could not revive Ajaokuta. GINL came in 2004 but only succeeded in stealing and striping the assets of the complex. Now they want to hand it over to a third company and, Alhaji Musa Bello is preparing to take back Ajaokuta!!! He has the chance of succeeding in view of his backing by Kogi State government. Call back TPE of Russia to site and Ajaokuta will work.
3. Ajaokuta Steel will work when the local conspirators agree to work for the common good of the generality of Anebira. That's when their selfish pursuit in relation to Ajaokuta gives way to Ebira patriotism and Ebira advancement.
4. Ajaokuta Steel will work when everyone of us openly or secretly agitate that it should work. It will work when everyone of us could see that our political leaders are wrong in their handling of Ajaokuta issue. We have grown to be able to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. Let's unite against the wrongs of our leaders that negatively affect our collective aspirations. I draw inspiration from the Prophetic tradition that says: "When you see a wrong being committed, try to correct it with your hand; if it is not possible, correct it with your tongue (by speaking against it); and if it is not possible, disabuse your mind from it (that is, negate it with your heart)". Where do you belong out of these? If you cannot change it by your hand or speak against it, please endeavor to appreciate those who volunteer to fight this Ajaokuta course.
All of us cannot do it. Simply appreciate those that are sacrificing their time, energy and money to see that Ajaokuta Steel becomes operational for the benefit of all of us and our future generations. This is the little expected of a true son and daughter of Ebira.Those who condone the wrongs and injustices of our leaders with respect to Ajaokuta are directly aiding the non actualization of
our Ajaokuta dream.
The acclaimed, famed and widely acknowledged valour and bravery of Anebira was not in the number of conquest we recorded in medieval wars. No. It is in the inherent disposition of Anebira to stand up against cheating, a by-product of injustice. He protest cheating with uncommon strength, bravery and gallantry. This is the motivating force of our acclaimed bravery. How then have become so avaricious without recourse to decency, sycophancy without recourse to reason and blatantly timid and indolent without recourse to our collective rights?
5. Ajaokuta will start working when we start asserting our rights through subtle resistance to injustice and cheating by our leaders. As much as we continue to condone these wrongs, cheating and injustices of our leaders, so shall we remain stagnant. The civilized world uses the medium of peaceful demonstration to disseminate their disenchanment or grievances against government's policy. Over the years, all that need to be said and written have been said and written by concerned citizens of Anebira and Nigeria in general. It is time our irrepressible Ebira Youth Congress start drawing the attention of Federal Government through peaceful, orderly and well coordinated rally. I realize they have been doing wonderfully well in this struggle but for lack of financial support. I humbly urge our senior citizens to support the youth body in this agitation. Ajaojuta/Itakpe Revival Movement (ARM) did it in Abuja on 25th January, 2017 which resulted into a call for public hearing by National Assembly.
Some weeks ago, Niger-delta boys organized peaceful demonstration against Kachikwu when he wanted to concession the two refineries in the South to Oando and Agip. Within one week of their demonstration, a hearing was organized at the National Assembly and Kachikwu said he did not intend to do so. He back-pedalled immediately. And he said they were looking for the original builders of the refineries. If, in his wisdom, original builders of the refineries are better placed to effect repairs and service the refineries, why then is Ajaokuta being set for concession to another company (the third one), instead of calling back the original builders to complete the steel complex and handover to the government? What's so difficult in calling them back, especially when they are also eager to come back? You know the secret, Russia will not agree to greese the palm of any government official but a new company will be ready to do that. I suspect that giving Ajaokuta to a new company by government official is "lucrative" than calling back the TPE of Russia.
If only answer Nos. 1 & 2 above can be satisfied, Ajaokuta Steel will work. That is, political will of the federal government and to call back the original builders.
May Allah assist Anebira in our collective aspirations for revival of Ajaokuta. Ameen.
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