Ajaokuta Revival: Natasha Intimates Ebira Council of Chiefs on the Journey so Far, Challenges, Prospects

In her continuous efforts towards the rescusitation of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex, the founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP), Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti has intimated Ebira Council of Chiefs in Diaspora on the efforts made so far towards reviving the giant steel company from its comatose state, saying reasonable progress has been made as laws are in the pipeline to protect the steel sector and guide its operation, Confluence Reporters gathered.

Natasha who spoke at the annual
meeting of Ebira Council of Chiefs in Diaspora held at the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland said, she has refused to give up on the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel despite all challenges because what will come from the giant steel plant when it starts working is unquantifiable, adding that a working Ajaokuta is capable of creating thousands of direct job and hundreds of indirect job and save Nigeria of over three billion dollars use to import steel annually.

She disclosed that the struggle to revive Ajaokuta has finally gotten the right attention from the government and it was able to stir up some political will.

Speaking on the milestone she has achieved, she said after speaking at the National Assembly on March 1, the National Assembly has decided to draft laws that will guide and protect the steel sector.

"Like the society has order, the set of laws that guide it, also the corporate organisations should have the set of laws to guide the orderliness of its operations.

"What we discovered was that the steel sector in Nigeria does not have a set of laws and that is why government in and out, administration change and everybody comes and do what they want.

"In petroleum industry, we have set of laws, regulations and policies and all whatnot that protect the sector but the steel sector has none. The first thing that National Assembly did was was to draft laws that will protect the steel sector.

"Since we are starting on ground zero, we must as well start on a sure foot and build a strong foundation as we are revamping the steel sector."

She said they looked at India, Brazil and other countries that have formidable steel structure and they are able to adapt best policies that will form the best practices for the administration and operational of steel sector in Nigeria.

She disclosed that the National Assembly has succeeded in taking Ajaokuta out of the privatislzation list.

"I am not against privatization as per say, but the way privatization is handled in Nigeria, it is nothing other than the sharing of asset amongst political friends", she said.

She revealed that there is no any proof to show that the Indian firm that took over Ajaokuta and Itakpe ever pay any penny to Nigerian government.

Speaking on the money needed to revive the moribund steel company, she said the National Assembly has been able to create one billion dollar emergency life line to revive Ajaokuta.

"Another thing we did was to get Society of Engineers, and Nigerian Association of Metallurgist to put together a proposal for a bill which is going to separate the functions of the minister.

"This is very important, we know for anyone to be successful there has got to be the critics, someone who will checkmate your excesses and what had happened over the years is that the minister of mine and steel has acted unilaterally.

"Only the minister will decide on what to create, look for the contractors, award the contact, determine the price, and every other thing and this has given room for corruption of some sort", she said.

Making reference to the operation of steel sector in other countries, Natasha said in India there is the Ministry of Steel and there is a Steel Authority of India Ltd, explaining that both of them report to the presidency.

"One which is the ministry of steel usually has a political appointee serves as the regulator, creates laws, increase tarrif on the recommendation of the Steel Authority and the Steel Authority is made up of experts, engineers, metallurgist and people from the host communities.

"In the 70s, we have the Nigerian Steel Development Authority which was later weeded away and creates what is called the Nigerian Steel Council Act which is dormant.

"We are pushing ahead to separate these functions so that one will serve as the operator incharge of operation and maintain the standard and prices of the steel while the other will just serve as policy makers and regulators of the prime sector", she said.

Speaking on the recent claim that Ajaokuta is back to life, she said as much as she don't want to be political about things, it is best to know the truth so that the people don't have some false expectations.

She maintained that where Ajaokuta is today is miles ahead from where it was five years ago, adding that some substantial progress has been made.

She however noted that the engineers shown in the video making the rounds have always been working to save the machines from being worn-out, adding that it is just a video of one of the maintenance works.

She disclosed that she has considered the long calling of the people of Delta state to merge the struggle of Delta Steel and Ajaokuta Steel and fight for their resuscitation together.

According to her, despite the 2015 concession of Delta Steel to Premium Steel, nothing is working in the company when she passed by the area a day before this intimation meeting.

"In February, we saw on papers that governor Ifeanyi Okowa commissioned Delta Steel. The Chiefs said it was just one day media thing, nothing is working and they want to file before the National Assembly so that Delta Steel can be taken out of privatization list just like Ajaokuta steel", she said.

Reacting to the calling of people for her to hold an authority, she said her fear is the effect it will have on the struggle to resuscitate Ajaokuta.

"I have heard a lot of people saying that I should come into active politics and contest for senate.

"When I come into the struggle to revive Ajaokuta years ago,  I don't have issue of politics in my mind.  What I have always think is that, if I answer the call of our people, of what interest would it be to our struggle and this answer has always been that it's going to shorten the pace.

"If stepping into authority will afford me the opportunity to change our narrative, may be I should consider answering our people.

"I have always seen myself as somebody from Oride in Ihima, but somebody has always seen me bigger than that and in the next few weeks, our people are going to know my decision", she said.

On his welcome address, the Odeyani of Anebira peoples Living in Kaduna and General Chairman of Odeyani forum in diaspora, HRH. Alhaji, Sadiqu Obari noted that only God can reward Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti for her resilient approach towards the revival of Ajaokuta.

"We are so happy on the role you are playing on Ajaokuta, and we will never get tired praying to God to protect you.

"Representatives of Ebira have all come from 36 states of the federation to hear from you. We have all come from our comfort zones and gathered here to hear from you on the journey so far on Ajaokuta because of the progress of Ebiraland and to reiterate our unalloyed support for the godly path you have chosen to tread.

"Many groups have been coming to me and said it is time for you to come into politics and change things for good. We are all happy at what you are doing for Ebiraland, you have the support of the elders of Ebiraland.

"God will help you and He will surely help you to acquire the necceaary position and help out people. Thank you so much for the risks you have been taking and thanks for honouring our invitation", he said.

On his on contribution, the Ohinoyi of Anebira in Kwara state, Alhaji Aminu Mayaki said Natasha should make more youths to key into her dream and carry all carry the women along too.

"I am happy you are doing all these for your father land as a woman. You have the capacity to represent us and bring what we need to our people", he said.