Ebira Traditional Rulers and Senator Unite for Ajaokuta Steel and Itakpe Revival
AJAOKUTA/Nigeria: In a concerted effort towards the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, traditional rulers representing the Ebira ethnic group and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, have aligned forces.
In a letter addressed to Chief Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, the monarchs emphasized the imperative for collective action among Kogi State indigenes in the National Assembly. They stressed the pivotal role of focusing on the common good of Ebiraland, Kogi State, and Nigeria at large in making the Ajaokuta Steel Plant operational.
The joint correspondence, signed by notable traditional leaders including Mohammed Bello, Musa Isah Achuja, Ahmed Abdulraheem, Umar Opewu, and Isah Mamman, underscored the necessity for a cautious and statesmanlike approach in addressing the issues surrounding Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe.
Central to the stakeholders’ concerns is the need for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the re-concession of the National Iron Ore Mining Company, despite the termination of the initial concession agreement by the Yar’Adua administration, a move validated by the International Chamber of Commerce, London.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, spearheading legislative action, has motioned for an inquiry into alleged corruption and inefficiency at both Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), urging a thorough scrutiny of their affairs from 2008 to the present.
Stakeholders are vehemently advocating for an examination of the reported $496 payment to Mr. Pramod Mittal, Chairman of Global Infrastructural Holdings LTD (GINL), by the Federal Government in September 2022, purportedly as settlement for contractual disputes.
Furthermore, there is a collective call for a reassessment of existing policies and laws governing steel development in Nigeria. This entails the dissolution of sole administratorship at Ajaokuta Steel Company and the establishment of a robust management and governing board, inclusive of representatives from professional bodies and supervising ministries.
The traditional custodians of Kogi Central and Ebiraland have emphasized the urgent need for collaboration and responsiveness from legislators, urging them to work in tandem with the Minister of Steel Development, management of the two companies, and stakeholders to formulate actionable strategies. They particularly implored President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Plant, echoing the sentiments of significant benefits including employment generation, technological advancement, and economic empowerment for the region.
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Ajaokuta and Itakpe projects, the traditional rulers recalled the glory days during the tenure of Late President Shehu Shagari, highlighting the pivotal role played by his administration in advancing the steel industry. They commended President Tinubu’s commitment to development and the restoration of the Steel Development Ministry, emphasizing the importance of collective support towards the realization of the Ajaokuta Dream.
As the region braces for a period of collaborative effort and support for government initiatives, stakeholders emphasize the necessity of averting controversies that may impede progress, rallying behind a unified vision for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel and Itakpe.
