The Minister of Metal Improvement, Mr. Shuaibu Audu, on Wednesday, revealed that the technical audit on the Ajaokuta Metal Firm Restricted will begin early February.
Recall that the Federal Authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2024 with the unique builders of the Ajaokuta Metal Plant, Tyazhpromexport, and their consortium members, Novostal M and Proforce Manufacturing Restricted, to conduct the technical audit.
The audit will lay the muse for the rehabilitation, completion, and operation of the metal plant and the Nationwide Iron Ore Mining Firm in Kogi State, Nigeria.
The minister, whereas showing earlier than the Nationwide Meeting Joint Committee on Metal Improvement to defend the ministry’s 2024 funds and the 2025 Appropriation, reassured the committee and urged for endurance.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the joint panel and consultant of the Kogi Central Senatorial District the place the challenge is situated, requested the minister to supply a particular date for the beginning of the technical audit.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, “Hon Minister can I ask a query, please? When was the MOU entered into? Which month? Are you able to inform us the month that the MOU on Ajaokuta was entered?”
In response, the minister knowledgeable the panel that the doc was signed in September of the earlier 12 months.
Akpoti-Uduaghan then questioned why the ministry had taken no motion 4 months after the MOU was signed.
She stated, “We are actually approaching the top of January. When will the technical audit begin? When will it begin? As a result of to me, I consider we must always sort out that challenge wholesomely. Sure, we have to begin with a technical audit in order that the buildup of repairs will begin instantly.
“Are you able to inform us once we would anticipate the Russians with their companions to begin the technical audit as a result of time goes.”
Replying the minister stated, “I had a dialog with the Everlasting Secretary this morning (Wednesday) on the graduation date.”
He then instructed the Everlasting Secretary, Dr. Chris Osa-Isokpunwu, to replace the panel on the beginning of the technical audit.
Osa-Isokpunwu stated, “Instantly after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the ministry commenced the procurement course of for the technical and monetary audit. Ads have been made, time was given. The stage we are actually is preparation to current it to the Federal Government Council for approval. As soon as that presentation is made and the Federal Government Council approves that challenge, then the technical audit will begin.
“What I might say at this level is that as quickly as we get the ‘no objection’ to proceed to the Federal Government Council by the Bureau of Public Procurement, we’ll take the memo to the Federal Government Council. That shall be primarily based on the provision of slot for the presentation of memos at FEC. I don’t run the Secretariat of FEC.
“Nonetheless, as soon as the Bureau of Public Procurement points us the certificates of no objection, inside 48 hours after, the Honourable Minister will transmit the memo to the Secretariat of FEC.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan inquired about when the BPP would ship the ‘no objection’ to the ministry, to which the Everlasting Secretary replied that solely the Director Normal of the BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, may present a solution.
Nonetheless unhappy with the response, Akpoti-Uduaghan requested, “How lengthy have you ever been ready for that ‘no objection’ from BPP? I must know the timeline. How lengthy has it been? Did you simply submit the proposal final week? Or final month? Or two months in the past? We have to know. Perhaps it’s BPP we’re going to maintain accountable for delay of course of.”
Osa-Isokpunwu responded, “I’m not acquainted with the processes of the Bureau of Public Procurement. We submitted our request for ‘no objection’ about two months in the past. So Chairman, I don’t know if I might help you.”
The minister promptly defended the Everlasting Secretary, acknowledging that the ministry has been sluggish in addressing the matter.
Audu stated, “Mr. Chairman and distinguished members, I believe the suggestions from the joint committee is loud and clear. The pace at which we’re going by means of the method of getting a ‘no objection’ from BPP is just too sluggish. I believe that’s the message that I’m listening to from the committee members. The suggestions has been heard very loud and clear. I can guarantee you that I’ll proceed to place the everlasting secretary underneath loads of strain for us to get out the ‘no objection’.
“Maybe, the strategies and the best way we’ve been following up is insufficient. We’re going to put extra fuel to the pedal to make sure that the ‘no objection’ comes out. It’s because it’s very, crucial to Nigerians for the technical audit to begin, notably with the unique builders and their Nigerian representatives.
“We’ve got much more work to do in that regard. The Perm Sec has heard, administrators of the ministries have heard very loud and clear that the joint committee on metal is sad with the tempo at which we’re processing the ‘no objection’ from BPP. So I need to enchantment to your additional endurance.
“Within the subsequent few days, I can guarantee you that we’re going to ramp up efforts to at the least get out the ‘no objection’. At present is twenty second of January. I consider earlier than the top of the month we’ll get it. I’ll do every thing humanly doable to make sure that it comes out in order that we will get this stuff going. So I need to guarantee you that I’ll put the ministry underneath strain. I’ll proceed to place the Everlasting Secretary underneath strain.
“Everyone can hear me. Nigerians can hear me. The administrators are all right here. The person who liaises with BPP is right here. The Everlasting Secretary is right here. All probably the most senior memberships are right here. The tempo at which we’re getting, we’re processing this BPP ‘no objection’ is just too sluggish. We have to carry it out, newest by the top of January and we hope to get the FEC approval instantly.”