Natasha Reiterates the Yearnings of the Masses as House Ad-Hoc Committee Commenced Investigation, Way forward on the Resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel - Hamza Lamisi
Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti has reiterated the yearnings of the masses over the best patriotic approach for the rescusitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company. Natasha made this reiteration yesterday the 4th of June 2018 during the investigative hearing called upon by the House of Representatives' ad-hoc committee on Ajaokuta Steel Company. Attended by the Honorable Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Sole Administrators of Ajaokuta Steel Company and NIOMCO, Stakeholders and Civil Society Groups.
It would be recalled that upon the sectoral debate called upon by the Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara on the 1st of March 2018, Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti made a fact-filled presentation that exposed the numerous conspiracies surrounding the steel plant since the time the original builders (TPE) left in 1994. Base on the the presentation, a motion was raised for the need to investigate the reason for the failure of Ajaokuta Steel Company to commence operation fully since its inception. An investigation which will guide the way forward.
The chairman of the committee who doubles as Leader of the House of Represetatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila while giving the opening speech, emphasized on the importance the entire National Assembly attached to Nigerian industrialization through a "stee-based social-economic and infrastructure development. That the independence of any country is measured by the level of steel production development. "We believe strongly that this was the motivation of our founding fathers to initiate and pursue vigorously the establishment of Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. With its complimentary satellites like the Itakpe iron ore manufacturing, Delta steel company, the Jos, Oshogbo and Katsina steel rolling companies.
Sadly as at today, almost forty years after (1983), the Ajaokuta steel company story is a testimony of failure of successive governments to key into the realization of the labours of our 'heroes past'. This is why the National Assembly deemed it fit not to stand by and see the colossal damage being done to our country through series of unprofitable concessions and counter-concessions of our steel companies that are all geared towards sabotaging our national interest of creating a 'steel-based' industrialized nation. "This hearing will inform the committee's decision and its consequent recommendations back to the house."
In his presentation, The Honorable Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Hon. Abubakar Bawa said the government has no money to spend on Ajaokuta Steel any more and therefore resulting to concession as the only option. Noting that Nigerians have no capacity to resuscitate and operate Ajaokuta Steel and Itakpe Iron ore company.
On the contrary, the house committe and other stakeholders disapproved that concession or privatization shouldn't be an option considering the damages it has caused to the same Ajaokuta and other projects in the past. Insisting on government funding. They also argued that Nigerians can operate Ajaokuta Steel plant with adequate transfer of technology and reinstated their position on the engagement of original builders. The House urged the minister to comply with the recent law passed that prohibits Ajaokuta from being privatized or concessioned while other options are explored.
Reiterating her position and the yearnings of the masses, Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti maintained that;
1. Privatization or concession will only put Ajaokuta steel plant in the hands of few selfish individuals who after their pockets without minding the pains of the average Nigerians.
2. There should be a government to government agreement that will ensure the call back of the original builders to complete the project and transfer the technology to the capable Nigerian experts in the steel management and operation field.
3. With political will, possible options should be properly explored by the government to raise the needed fund for the completion of the plant and other external infrastructures it will require to run on maximum productivity capacity.
4. Personal greed be pocketed against national creed and a patriotic approach be used for the revival of Ajaokuta steel.
5. There should be transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in all forms of transactions with respect to Ajaokuta Steel and other projects of key national interest to the Nigerian economy.
6. Those who have conspired against the project be called for questioning and appropriate sanctions in order to correct the future while critically guiding the present decisions with those mishaps.
7. The atrocities of Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited be investigated. Not limited to the Ogaminina massacre where many innocent lives were lost and properties vandalized by the Nigerian police for no just reason. Stating that in moving forward, questions should be asked in order to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Other stakeholders including the Nigerian society of Engineers, African Iron and Steel Association also held similar opinions that a political will be summoned for the completion of Ajaokuta against the idea of concession which may drag the project back to the past mess. They further demanded that an independent Steel Authority (made up of engineers and steel experts) be created to advice government and guide the operations of Nigerian steel Development; laws to protect and regulate the steel sector.
In a similar vain, the Youth leader of the Host Community of ASCL & NIOMCO (Ebira Youth Congress President-General), Cmr. Baba Razaq demanded that the right step be taken within the shortest possible time to end stories of Ajaokuta for actions. He decried the moribund nature of the steel plant and as well lamented over the criminal activities of the GINL that led to the Ogaminana massacre where many souls are left in pains till date. He equally stated that the original builders be invited to complete the plant against the idea of concession or privatization.
In Conclusion, the committee chairman thanked the various presenters and assured the people that an informed decision and recommendations shall be made for way forward upon the conclusion of their tasks.
It would be recalled that upon the sectoral debate called upon by the Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara on the 1st of March 2018, Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti made a fact-filled presentation that exposed the numerous conspiracies surrounding the steel plant since the time the original builders (TPE) left in 1994. Base on the the presentation, a motion was raised for the need to investigate the reason for the failure of Ajaokuta Steel Company to commence operation fully since its inception. An investigation which will guide the way forward.
The chairman of the committee who doubles as Leader of the House of Represetatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila while giving the opening speech, emphasized on the importance the entire National Assembly attached to Nigerian industrialization through a "stee-based social-economic and infrastructure development. That the independence of any country is measured by the level of steel production development. "We believe strongly that this was the motivation of our founding fathers to initiate and pursue vigorously the establishment of Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. With its complimentary satellites like the Itakpe iron ore manufacturing, Delta steel company, the Jos, Oshogbo and Katsina steel rolling companies.
Sadly as at today, almost forty years after (1983), the Ajaokuta steel company story is a testimony of failure of successive governments to key into the realization of the labours of our 'heroes past'. This is why the National Assembly deemed it fit not to stand by and see the colossal damage being done to our country through series of unprofitable concessions and counter-concessions of our steel companies that are all geared towards sabotaging our national interest of creating a 'steel-based' industrialized nation. "This hearing will inform the committee's decision and its consequent recommendations back to the house."
In his presentation, The Honorable Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Hon. Abubakar Bawa said the government has no money to spend on Ajaokuta Steel any more and therefore resulting to concession as the only option. Noting that Nigerians have no capacity to resuscitate and operate Ajaokuta Steel and Itakpe Iron ore company.
On the contrary, the house committe and other stakeholders disapproved that concession or privatization shouldn't be an option considering the damages it has caused to the same Ajaokuta and other projects in the past. Insisting on government funding. They also argued that Nigerians can operate Ajaokuta Steel plant with adequate transfer of technology and reinstated their position on the engagement of original builders. The House urged the minister to comply with the recent law passed that prohibits Ajaokuta from being privatized or concessioned while other options are explored.
Reiterating her position and the yearnings of the masses, Barr. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti maintained that;
1. Privatization or concession will only put Ajaokuta steel plant in the hands of few selfish individuals who after their pockets without minding the pains of the average Nigerians.
2. There should be a government to government agreement that will ensure the call back of the original builders to complete the project and transfer the technology to the capable Nigerian experts in the steel management and operation field.
3. With political will, possible options should be properly explored by the government to raise the needed fund for the completion of the plant and other external infrastructures it will require to run on maximum productivity capacity.
4. Personal greed be pocketed against national creed and a patriotic approach be used for the revival of Ajaokuta steel.
5. There should be transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in all forms of transactions with respect to Ajaokuta Steel and other projects of key national interest to the Nigerian economy.
6. Those who have conspired against the project be called for questioning and appropriate sanctions in order to correct the future while critically guiding the present decisions with those mishaps.
7. The atrocities of Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited be investigated. Not limited to the Ogaminina massacre where many innocent lives were lost and properties vandalized by the Nigerian police for no just reason. Stating that in moving forward, questions should be asked in order to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Other stakeholders including the Nigerian society of Engineers, African Iron and Steel Association also held similar opinions that a political will be summoned for the completion of Ajaokuta against the idea of concession which may drag the project back to the past mess. They further demanded that an independent Steel Authority (made up of engineers and steel experts) be created to advice government and guide the operations of Nigerian steel Development; laws to protect and regulate the steel sector.
In a similar vain, the Youth leader of the Host Community of ASCL & NIOMCO (Ebira Youth Congress President-General), Cmr. Baba Razaq demanded that the right step be taken within the shortest possible time to end stories of Ajaokuta for actions. He decried the moribund nature of the steel plant and as well lamented over the criminal activities of the GINL that led to the Ogaminana massacre where many souls are left in pains till date. He equally stated that the original builders be invited to complete the plant against the idea of concession or privatization.
In Conclusion, the committee chairman thanked the various presenters and assured the people that an informed decision and recommendations shall be made for way forward upon the conclusion of their tasks.
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