Resign if you are not Capable, House Committee on Steel Slams Ministers
The House of Representatives Committee on Steel led by the Chairman Hon. Idris Lawal, on Thursday, slammed the Minsters of Mines and Steel and Solid Minerals and other concerned government authorities who failed to appear at the investigative hearing to receive a Memorandum of understanding from Kogi Elders Forum on Ajaokuta Steel Comany Limited (ASCL).
The Chairman alongside ten other Honorable members, lamented the lackadaisical manner of the ministers on Ajaokuta matters. "Let tell Nigerians or resign if they are not capable of handling those ministries" the committee proclaimed.
Every Company and Individuals involved in Ajaokuta Mess shall be held Accountable
Hon. Akinlade representing Ekiti west raised a point of order on the Ministers' absence. "Are the Ministers above those they are representing and on who's interest are they ministers?" Hon. Akinlade asked. He braced the committee to take a very strong action against those toiling with the people's destiny while they ensure the decision of the people takes the lead on the matter.
The law maker commended the efforts of Barr. Natasha Akpoti which he described as not just being patriotic but humanitarian to a just course. He commend the Elders and the stakeholders for their time and good will. Hon. Akinlade went further to vow that every company and Individuals involved in Ajaokuta dilemma and mess must be held Accountable for their roles.
He urge every concerned authorities Ajaokuta to bury their personal interest and ego while things are done in the interest of the country and the people.
The law maker representing Adavi/Okehi, Hon. Kabiru Ajana also expressed anger over the unpatriotic roles of those charged with Ajaokuta's responsibility. He reaffirmed that the committee will get down the Minsters to ensure a way forward even if the house is on recess.
Hon. Ajana stated that it is high time we took back our destiny as Nigerians when he hinted out the bill that was just passed on "not too young to run" to support young people in leadership. He thereafter emphasized on the spirit of sacrifice in achieving the Ajaokuta project.
He vehemently faulted the agreement signed between the Federal Government and the Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited saying agreement was full of flaws and not in the interest of the people and they will use every section of the constitution to right the wrongs. "The government must realise that diversification is unrealistic without the steel sector being developed" Ajana added.
The Committee resolved to send a strong warning to the Ministers in question and as well invite them once again and if they fail to honour their calls to duty, the house shall order for their arrest. They agreed on their possible reconvene before the end of August 2017.
Enough on Ajaokuta Steel Company, We Need Action
Also the Kogi Elders Forum at the hearing, agitated that the people have been taken for a ride for too long on Ajaokuta/Itakpe steel projects, faulting the non- transparent role of those saddled with the responsibility.
Speaking through the Chairman, Barr. Julius, the elders decried the state of Ajaokuta after series of concessions. "We have been taken for granted for too long, we need sincere action by the FG. Ajaokuta is a responsibility of all Nigerians and if the government officials are not ready to carry out their duties, we will make them do. Enough is enough on public deceit".
Others among the Elders Forum include; Dr. Tom Adaba (OON), Arc. Gabriel Aduku (OON), former minister of state for health, Alh. Isah Ozi Salami, Dr. Samson Sani Ameh (SAN), Alh. Idris Yusuf Tawari, Chief Dr. Rekiya Momoh. Also present were; the sole administrators of ASCL and NIOMCO, United Labour Congess, ISSSAN, Ebira Youth Congress President General, Royal Chiefs and other stakeholders.
Nigeria at the Verge of a Revolution... Handle Ajaokuta Steel like a national independence
commending the Elders and the stakeholders for their positive roles in the struggle, the leader of the Ajaokuta/Itakpe Revival Movement, Barr. Natasha Akpoti, appreciated the House Committee for their patriotism towards the exercise.
She appealed to the people mostly the Elders not to be tired until they achieve Ajaokuta of their desire together.
Natasha urged the committee to extend her invitation beyond the Mine and Steel ministries down to the ministry of Justice, BPE and EFCC in order to tackle all legal matters sorrounding the steel company. She thereafter drawn the attention of the committee to some fictitious amount being used by some Kangaroo committee to render Nigeria helpless in ASCL/NIOMCO deal house.
She charged the committee to investigate all the sham and invite the real owener of the said Indian compnay in which Nigeria is neck-deeped to pay prices it never deserve, so that Nigerians can know who to hold responsible if any thing goes wrong on ASCL/NIOMCO.
The human right activist insisted that the Ministers involved must speak in the language Nigerians understand and they should be transparent in their transactions.
She added that, they should stop putting forth information as if everything is fine while nothing is fine at all. "We should not allow the worst of them rule the best of us" she said.
Natasha pointed out, that both international and local conspiracies must be fought to end. Nigeria is not a local player in steel, we are international in it and we would appreciate if this honourable team put all these points together and as well pull all the stakeholders in the steel ecosystem together to discuss and take proper action because Nigeria is at the verge of revolution.
Hon. Timothy, a member of the House Committee, discarded all ungenuene excuses on Ajaokuta/Itakpe Iron and steel company by the FG. He attributed the high level of international conspiracies against the steel company to some local demons who never want Nigeria grow.
"Categorically, it is clear that the Ministers in charge of the project have skeleton in their cupboard and that explains shying always from interfacing with the people whose interest they are supposed to protect". He said the committee will leave no stone untouched in ensuring actualisation of ASCL and NIOMCO. Even while on recess, we must meet and fashion a way out.
It is unfortunate that Nigeria cannot recognise the power of the steel sector. Steel is richer than oil if well developed. He urged everyone not to relent or give up on Ajaokuta because the future of this nation lies greatly in its success.
He urged Nigerians to put prayers as well as other machineries in this matter.
One of the iron and steel stakeholders lamented on the manner in which Nigeria capitalise on petty unsustainable programs, giving out tokens to the agile youths where we have a rich asset like Ajaokuta that can provide as many as possible jobs for the country. Investment on Ajaokuta means securing the future of this nation's economy and the steel sector must not suffer if we must achieve diversification.
Hamza Lamisi
Reports
The Chairman alongside ten other Honorable members, lamented the lackadaisical manner of the ministers on Ajaokuta matters. "Let tell Nigerians or resign if they are not capable of handling those ministries" the committee proclaimed.
Every Company and Individuals involved in Ajaokuta Mess shall be held Accountable
Hon. Akinlade representing Ekiti west raised a point of order on the Ministers' absence. "Are the Ministers above those they are representing and on who's interest are they ministers?" Hon. Akinlade asked. He braced the committee to take a very strong action against those toiling with the people's destiny while they ensure the decision of the people takes the lead on the matter.
The law maker commended the efforts of Barr. Natasha Akpoti which he described as not just being patriotic but humanitarian to a just course. He commend the Elders and the stakeholders for their time and good will. Hon. Akinlade went further to vow that every company and Individuals involved in Ajaokuta dilemma and mess must be held Accountable for their roles.
He urge every concerned authorities Ajaokuta to bury their personal interest and ego while things are done in the interest of the country and the people.
The law maker representing Adavi/Okehi, Hon. Kabiru Ajana also expressed anger over the unpatriotic roles of those charged with Ajaokuta's responsibility. He reaffirmed that the committee will get down the Minsters to ensure a way forward even if the house is on recess.
Hon. Ajana stated that it is high time we took back our destiny as Nigerians when he hinted out the bill that was just passed on "not too young to run" to support young people in leadership. He thereafter emphasized on the spirit of sacrifice in achieving the Ajaokuta project.
He vehemently faulted the agreement signed between the Federal Government and the Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited saying agreement was full of flaws and not in the interest of the people and they will use every section of the constitution to right the wrongs. "The government must realise that diversification is unrealistic without the steel sector being developed" Ajana added.
The Committee resolved to send a strong warning to the Ministers in question and as well invite them once again and if they fail to honour their calls to duty, the house shall order for their arrest. They agreed on their possible reconvene before the end of August 2017.
Enough on Ajaokuta Steel Company, We Need Action
Also the Kogi Elders Forum at the hearing, agitated that the people have been taken for a ride for too long on Ajaokuta/Itakpe steel projects, faulting the non- transparent role of those saddled with the responsibility.
Speaking through the Chairman, Barr. Julius, the elders decried the state of Ajaokuta after series of concessions. "We have been taken for granted for too long, we need sincere action by the FG. Ajaokuta is a responsibility of all Nigerians and if the government officials are not ready to carry out their duties, we will make them do. Enough is enough on public deceit".
Others among the Elders Forum include; Dr. Tom Adaba (OON), Arc. Gabriel Aduku (OON), former minister of state for health, Alh. Isah Ozi Salami, Dr. Samson Sani Ameh (SAN), Alh. Idris Yusuf Tawari, Chief Dr. Rekiya Momoh. Also present were; the sole administrators of ASCL and NIOMCO, United Labour Congess, ISSSAN, Ebira Youth Congress President General, Royal Chiefs and other stakeholders.
Nigeria at the Verge of a Revolution... Handle Ajaokuta Steel like a national independence
commending the Elders and the stakeholders for their positive roles in the struggle, the leader of the Ajaokuta/Itakpe Revival Movement, Barr. Natasha Akpoti, appreciated the House Committee for their patriotism towards the exercise.
She appealed to the people mostly the Elders not to be tired until they achieve Ajaokuta of their desire together.
Natasha urged the committee to extend her invitation beyond the Mine and Steel ministries down to the ministry of Justice, BPE and EFCC in order to tackle all legal matters sorrounding the steel company. She thereafter drawn the attention of the committee to some fictitious amount being used by some Kangaroo committee to render Nigeria helpless in ASCL/NIOMCO deal house.
She charged the committee to investigate all the sham and invite the real owener of the said Indian compnay in which Nigeria is neck-deeped to pay prices it never deserve, so that Nigerians can know who to hold responsible if any thing goes wrong on ASCL/NIOMCO.
The human right activist insisted that the Ministers involved must speak in the language Nigerians understand and they should be transparent in their transactions.
She added that, they should stop putting forth information as if everything is fine while nothing is fine at all. "We should not allow the worst of them rule the best of us" she said.
Natasha pointed out, that both international and local conspiracies must be fought to end. Nigeria is not a local player in steel, we are international in it and we would appreciate if this honourable team put all these points together and as well pull all the stakeholders in the steel ecosystem together to discuss and take proper action because Nigeria is at the verge of revolution.
Hon. Timothy, a member of the House Committee, discarded all ungenuene excuses on Ajaokuta/Itakpe Iron and steel company by the FG. He attributed the high level of international conspiracies against the steel company to some local demons who never want Nigeria grow.
"Categorically, it is clear that the Ministers in charge of the project have skeleton in their cupboard and that explains shying always from interfacing with the people whose interest they are supposed to protect". He said the committee will leave no stone untouched in ensuring actualisation of ASCL and NIOMCO. Even while on recess, we must meet and fashion a way out.
It is unfortunate that Nigeria cannot recognise the power of the steel sector. Steel is richer than oil if well developed. He urged everyone not to relent or give up on Ajaokuta because the future of this nation lies greatly in its success.
He urged Nigerians to put prayers as well as other machineries in this matter.
One of the iron and steel stakeholders lamented on the manner in which Nigeria capitalise on petty unsustainable programs, giving out tokens to the agile youths where we have a rich asset like Ajaokuta that can provide as many as possible jobs for the country. Investment on Ajaokuta means securing the future of this nation's economy and the steel sector must not suffer if we must achieve diversification.
Hamza Lamisi
Reports
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