ALLEGED INCIDENCES OF CORRUPTION AND INEFFICIENCY IN AJAOKUTA:  Senate Quizzes Steel Ministry, Others, Charges on Bringing Ajaokuta to Production 

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By Onwe Wisdom

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday has quizzed the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and National Iron Ore Mining Company over alleged incidences of corruption and inefficiency in Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and National Iron Ore Mining Company and the general state of affairs in the companies from 2002 till date.

The Chairman, Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged incidence of corruption and inefficiency in the Ajaokuta Steel, Sen. Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire in his opening remark said the committee is not out to witch-hunt anybody or group of persons but on assignment to unraveled logs in the wheel of company’s progress, promises to come out with workable modalities that will bring Ajaokuta to a state of productivity.

worried that despite the non productiveness  of the company,  Nigeria tax payer money are being spent on the facility, Adeniyi interrogate the sole administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd, Mr Sumaila Abdul- Akaba on the rationale for spending whoopy  sum on the company while it’s not producing?

The Sole Administrator of the Ajaokuta Steel Company  Limited, Mr Sumaila Abdul- Akaba says the amount spent is justifiable citing personnel for security and maintenance of equipment in the company.

Sen. Natasha Akpoti  concerned about the management structure at the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Says the sole administrator has been consistent with “l” instead “we”  inferred that the Sole Administrator has been making all decisions regarding the company’s affairs  without any input from others. This has led to increased inefficiencies at the company.

Earlier,  the committee turned down the presentation of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development over what its described as ‘poor presentation’ by the ministry.

Addressing the ministry at the one day public hearing on Alleged incidences of corruption and inefficiency in Ajaokuta steel company limited and national iron ore mining company and the general state of affairs in the companies from 2002 to date, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee said the presentation made by the ministry lacked depth and as a consequence rejected their submissions and asked them to go and return back with a more elaborate report by Monday.

similarly, Senator Natasha Akpoti accused the ministry of disregarding the request of the Senate for a summary and elaborate reports. She observed that the ministry, out of self discretion, opted for a watery summary of only three pages instead of presenting a rich summary and elaborate reports.

Earlier, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, permanent secretary of the ministry said he only assumed office on Monday, a day preceding the hearing and requested the director steel, Mr. Umar Adamu to address the specific terms of the committee’s request in the ministry’s presentations.

The committee was however, was not satisfied with Mr. Adamu’s presentation and stepped down the ministry.

Ajaokuta Steel and NIOMCO were set up by the Federal Government in the late 1970s to establish Nigeria as a leading steel exporter but have been inoperative for decades due to a lack of political will and bureaucratic corruption.

Ajaokuta Steel which was reportedly at 98% completion since 1994, when the Tyazhpromexport (TPE) exited the Ajaokuta Steel on alleged ground that Nigeria did not discharge fully its financial obligation to the TPE has remains inoperative to date.

recall, the Senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, months ago  moved a motion urging the Senate to investigate alleged corruption and inefficiency at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) located in Kogi State, respectively.

She believed that the investigation should uncover the circumstances of corruption and inefficiency in the company.

The Chairman of the ad-hoc committee before bringing the proceedings of the committee to an end by Natasha’s motion for adjournment gave opportunity for participants to suggest what could be done to bring Ajaokuta to production.

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