The Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating actions at Ajaokuta Metal Firm Restricted and the Nationwide Iron Ore Mining Firm, Itakpe, each in Kogi State, has asserted that it’s excessive time the “jinx” surrounding Ajaokuta Metal Firm was damaged.
The committee, led by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, made this assertion on Wednesday throughout a gathering with the employees and administration of the corporate.
“The committee is right here on the metal plant with a agency dedication to uncover why the Ajaokuta metal plant stays non-operational, a long time after its institution. Our go to is geared toward gaining an understanding of the state of affairs and gathering first-hand info. Our mission is to interrupt the jinx and make sure the metal plant turns into operational,” Adegbonmire declared.
In his welcome handle, the appearing Chief Govt of the corporate, Kanwai Joseph, expressed gratitude for the committee’s curiosity within the firm. He remarked, “We recognise the belief positioned in us to handle nationwide property resembling this metal plant, and we’re dedicated to transparency and accountability. Though the plant has not been in manufacturing, we attempt to function with integrity, protect this important authorities funding, and ship high quality merchandise when in operation.
“We perceive that allegations of corruption and inefficiency are severe considerations. We guarantee you of our full cooperation throughout this investigation. You’ll have unrestricted entry to our amenities and data, and our workforce is ready to deal with any questions or considerations to make sure a radical and neutral investigation. We’ll start by offering an summary of the corporate’s previous, its present state, and the explanations for the current state of affairs.”
The Ajaokuta Built-in Metal Complicated, conceived in 1979, was designed to incorporate a Metallurgical Course of Plant, an Engineering Complicated, and varied auxiliary amenities. The mission was envisioned to stimulate important upstream and downstream industrial and financial actions, crucial for diversifying the economic system in direction of industrialisation.
Nonetheless, in August 2024, the Federal Authorities paid employees of the dormant metal firm N38.9 billion in salaries and allowances over a 10-year interval, regardless of the corporate’s incapability to provide a single sheet of metal since its inception.
In September 2024, the Federal Authorities, via the Minister of Metal Improvement, Shuaibu Audu, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the builders of the Ajaokuta metal plant, Messrs Tyazhpromexport, for the rehabilitation, completion, and operation of the plant and the Nationwide Iron Ore Mining Firm.