The leadership of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN), has assured President Ahmed Tinunu that the union is working in synergy with the Minister of Steel Development, Hon. Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu for the success and completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe.
The union also stated that they will provide every necessary information that will aid the Minister to succeed and to provide excellent report that will lead us to being an industrialised nation for the betterment of Nigerian citizens
The Chairman of the union, Comrade Ibrahim Audu Abdurrahman in a press statement issued on Saturday tagged Ajaokuta Steel: ” Misleading and malicious allegations peddled by individuals against the Honourable Minister of Steel Development”.
“Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a man who knows how to get the job done. Based on his innovative ideas and experience as a leader and a diligent public servant, he was able to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Russian Government, as the original builder of Ajaokuta integrated steel power plant.
“To our dismay, we have seen some purported and sponsored write-ups flying all over the social media claiming that Honourable Minister is underperforming. We the union leaders of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited refute that misleading statement coming from the so-called group called Nigeria Good Governance Research Group (NGGRG).
According to him, the sponsor of the mischievous group has no good intention towards the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel Company and we urge the Federal Government to concentrate attentively on the path being toed by Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the Hon. Minister of steel development.
“I call on the breeding pen to promote the revitalization process of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe, Kogi state being led by Hon. Minister, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu
“This is a clarion call to all Nigerians to reflect back on some of the historical foundation of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and its current situation. It wil be detrimental to all if we deny where we were before at this particular point in time and where we will be in the nearest future.
“The integrated steel power plant was commissioned under the administration of Alhaji. Shehu Shagari, acknowledging iron and steel as the bedrock of industrialization. After Tyazhpromexport (TPE) left the company at about 98% completion in 2002. The company had been inoperative; Government after Government, before President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration who had Government to Government negotiation with Russian Government to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited as the bedrock of the nation. However all efforts were not materialized as a result of covid-19 pandemic and political saboteurs at the time.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration vehemently believe a nation without steel industry will fall behind as an economic hub. There-in he created Ministry of steel development to manage the affairs of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.
“The recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Russian Consortium, led by the original builders of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Tyazhpromexport (TPE), including Novostal M and Proforce Manifacturing Limited, for the rehabilitation and completion of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, is indeed a positive development, a dream come true for many Nigerians who already tagged the plant as a white-elephant or failed project.
“We are very proud of the Honourable Minister, and we believe in his capacity to steer the plant’s resuscitation project. Therefore, as a joint union, we will not sit down and allow saboteurs of all kinds, doomsday analysts, political jobbers and their agents to scheme their ways in to stall this project from coming to light. It is time for everyone to keep their vested interests aside and focus on what is best for Nigeria.
“It is important that the Ministry staff, from Directors to the Permanent Secretary down to the lowest management staff, should do a just work by joining the Minister and Mr President to achieve the the resuscitation of Ajaokuta.
The union, therefore, urged all the critical stakeholders to let the breeding pen write progressively and shun destructive criticisms, to move this nation forward.
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