..Urge Minister of Steel to set up management team
By Abbas Mahmud.
The Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA) has stated that the petition to the Nigeria Senate and Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the Ebira Traditional Rulers to stop the Ajaokuta Steel Company’s probe does not represent Northern interests or those of other parts of Kogi state.
Recently, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan moved a motion for the Senate to investigate alleged corruption and inefficiency at Ajaokuta Steel and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) located in Kogi State.
She also sought an investigation into the $496m allegedly paid to the Chairman of Global Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (GINL) by the Federal Government in September 2022 as a settlement over ASL contractual disputes.
However, in a petition jointly signed by the five district rulers in the central senatorial district, namely, HRH Mohammed Bello (Ohi of Adavi), HRH Musa Isah Achuja (Ohi of Eganyi), HRH Ahmed Abdulraheem (Ohi of Ihima), HRH Umar Opewu (Ohi of Eika), and HRH Isah Mamman (Ohi of Okene), the monarchs accused the lawmaker of acting in isolation and without the input of critical stakeholders in the senatorial district, stating that her motion was an “unwarranted public outcry.”
“Taking fundamental decisions like this without inclusive consultations amounts to burning the bridge of democratic principles of consultations and this action is not acceptable to us.
“We urge that she should not be encouraged, as this type of action will scare away potential investors and is counterproductive,” the petition partly read.
Reacting to the petition via a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, NEYGA said Kogi Central monarchs cannot decide the future view of Northerners, Kogites, and Nigerians as a whole.
Ibrahim said: “Kogi State and Ajaokuta Steel belong to Nigerians, and we shouldn’t be pushed by corrupt leaders to issue unwarranted petitions to protect their ill-deeds. Instead of going against the motions raised by Senator Natasha, I expect every Nigerian to join hands with her.
“Northern Nigeria has decided to stand up and no longer be seen as a lazy region regarding the development of its resources.
“The Northern region is disappointed by the letter emanating from Traditional rulers in Kogi state. The fact that the plant is located in Kogi state doesn’t give Kogi state absolute claim to it.
“The letter from Kogi state traditional rulers does not represent the interests of the North. The entire Northern senators are encouraged to ensure adequate probe of the whereabouts of the money. The northern region is tired of being labeled as a lazy region.
“The group also called on the Minister of Steel, Alhaji Shuaibu Audu, to continue with his quest for resuscitating the plant and urged him to constitute an adequate management team.
“Ajaokuta lying there and not contributing but merely being a corruption calling for a proper management team is in line to ensure accountability and corporate efficiency.
“The demand for the whereabouts of the money released by Emefele should be questioned. Where was the money paid, and who are the beneficiaries? The probe and a competent governing board will reassure investors that the management is serious.”
