The House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled plans to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over plans for the rescue citation of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex located in Kogi State.
Chairman, House Committee on Steel Development, Hon. Zainab Gimbal disclosed this in Abuja during an interactive meeting with delegation from Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), requested for the audit report conducted on the facility.
While stressing the need for synergy among various Stakeholders in achieving the feat, she reiterated the 10th Assembly’s resolve to revisit the Ajaokuta Resuscitation Bill, with a view to clamp on economic saboteurs.
She said: “I want to make it unambiguously clear that the Committee on Steel Development is ever committed to robust engagement with critical stakeholders, well structured, positioned and geared towards the fulfillment of the renewed Economic and Developmental Agenda of Mr. President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has adequately displayed passion by creating the Ministry for Steel Development with two Ministers, to see to the speedy development of the steel sector, thus providing Nigerians the needed material at affordable cost while boosting the Nation’s revenue generation.
“Therefore, all hands must eagerly be on deck to flow with Mr. President’s vision for the speedy development of the steel industry and ultimately reduce the country’s dependence on the oil industry. I want to make it very clear that the 10th National Assembly: otherwise known as ‘People’s Assembly’, is ever desirous to engage stakeholders in its decision making process, hence the Committee on Steel Development has called for this strategic interaction of today with a leading professional group like the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE).
“We must not forget that steel can overwhelmingly diversity the Nigerian economy and create employment opportunities as it is obtainable in other developed counties like Russia, United States and India.
“This meeting affords us the opportunity to have a look at some very important issues like the Metallurgical Bill that is currently undergoing legislative process at the National Assembly; a development which will soon get to the public hearing level; the revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel Company, which the Nigeria Society of Engineers was once deeply involved with to produce a technical report.
“We will appreciate your further review of that report to save Nigeria from another pitfall in its Ajaokuta journey, especially as we are reliably informed that the technical report is staled and no longer valid considering the time it was published.
“We must remember that we need to collaborate extensively with the Legislature to find urgent and sustainable solution to the ugly and unfortunate problem of proliferation of sub-standard iron rods in Nigerian markets, which has led to serious cases of incessant building collapse with its attendant multiple deaths of innocent Nigerians.
“It is sad to recollect that our regulatory Agencies are not helping matters, because a recent market survey in Abuja has revealed a very disturbing scenario, where substandard iron rods are being produced and marketed to unsuspecting members of the public.
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“Talking about specifics in the market, recent findings reveals the manipulations in iron rods as follows: 10 mm is 7.56 mm, 12 mm is 9.25 mm, 16 mm is 11.25 mm, the above was our findings, when our delegation went to Abuja market, yet the regulatory agencies are watching; this is unacceptable and it calls for grim and grave concerns. Fake iron rods are being transported in day light. This committee will make bold soon to investigate and apprehend offenders among producers with its cabal.
“What is the Standard Organization of Nigeria doing in this regard? It is very disturbing that we see compromising attitudes, as this is never allowed in our neighbouring country, yet we are the giant of African.
“In tackling this serious matter which has brought gigantic embarrassment and ridiculous spectacle to our country, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Consumer Protection Agency must sit up and do the needful positively.
“We can no longer stand akimbo while watching as some wicked businessmen are sending innocent Nigerians to untimely deaths. And in being on top of our mandate, the Committee on Steel Development is committed to making Ajaokuta Steel company work in line with Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda, while considering reasonable jail terms to effectively handle producers and prevent the circulation of sub-substandard iron rods in the country.
“We are already assiduously looking at resuscitating the Bill in this regard, by applying the needed amendments to hammer economic saboteurs who are poised to embarrassing us continuously.
“Above all, we all must continue to take all necessary actions to protect the steel industry; maintain a sense of purpose by demonstrating insatiable commitment to our statutory obligations.”
In his intervention, Hon. Sani Abdulraheem, member representing Ajaokuta federal constituency said: “Our children on the street don’t have jobs. We need to salvage the situation. And we need information. We need records.
“That is why please let her be patriotic. Let us sympathize with this country and avail herself for a future that we’ll hear from her to help this country.”
While responding to questions from the lawmakers, NSE President who was represented by Engineer Chinasaokwu Okorie could not respond to various questions on the audit conducted on Ajaokuta.
Hence, Hon. Gimba rules that the NSE President should appear in person to the National Assembly for elaborate discussion.
