The idea behind my opinion essay with the title: ‘Ajaokuta debacle and the enemies within’ first published in Daily Independent in March, 2013 was to bring to the public sphere the persisting angst and outrage of the average Ebira elite, genuinely concerned about the lack of sustainable economic development of the area, through meaningful industrialization using the steel company.
Of great significance too, is how the policy makers concerned would muster the political will to finding sustainable solutions to the economic logjam. The crux of the matter is that the criminally neglected steel company, the second largest in Africa and the 12th iron ore in the world has been under lock and key since 1994. The federal government has reportedly spent a whopping $8 billion on the moribund company which has remained idle since the Russinas abandoned its construction in 1994!
As one has raised in the essay, would this have been allowed to hold sway if these were located in other parts of the country belonging to the three major ethnic groups? That has remained the million-Naira question.
But beyond ethnic sentiments is that within that same period the profile of one distinguished Nigerian, who is genuinely concerned about the preventable situation has been on the rise . She is none other than Barrister Natasha Akpoti. Aptly described as ‘a stern believer of justice, equity and rule of law, a devotee of humanity services and a disciple of a better Nigeria for Nigerians’ she has been making the difference by walking the talk.
Of specific interest is how she has been persistently fighting for the resuscitation of Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. Only recently, she tried hard to expose the conspiracy on company’s revival at the House of Reps debate. Akpoti, in a petition read at the House of Representatives, revealed plots by some individuals in Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to fraudulently acquire the steel company for themselves!
In her speech, Natasha revealed how a Russian company had to abandon the project in 1994 because Nigeria fell short of its contractual agreement by not releasing funds needed for the completion of the steel company. She also claimed that Vladimir Putin wrote the Nigerian government on how to modernize and complete the Ajaokuta complex, but key Nigerian actors have been silent on the offer because of their personal interest in the steel company.
Furthermore, Iron Ore Company, Itakpe was concessioned to a private company, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited, which later metamorphosed to Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited. According to her, GINL had at many times contributed to the decay of the steel company, which is why the steel company is still moribund today.
Natasha also explained how late president Umar Yar’Adua terminated the concession of Ajaokuta and Itakpe steel company to GINL after a committee was set up to find out about the concessioning process and the state of Ajaokuta in 2008.
According to her, there are several indications two powerful, vested interests in the current administration have interest in the steel company. She mentioned the Minister of Solid Minerals and Mines Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. But he stated that most of the allegations made against him, the Minister of State and the Ministry officials were not only unfounded but malicious. He revealed also that the technical audit, which would determine the actual cost of fixing Ajaokuta Steel Complex, was still on going, and would be ready in a few weeks.
Specifically, Dr Fayemi said that contrary to insinuations, the Russian government had never approached the Ministry nor the Federal Government to signify interest in running the complex.
He, however, confirmed that some companies in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Nigeria had expressed interest in taking over the Ajaokuta Complex, but that the Ministry’s stand was that they should wait till an open and competitive bid for the steel complex would be opened.
That notwithstanding, one cannot but salute Natasha’s noble, patriotic and salutary efforts. The aim of course, is for the betterment of the host community (Ebiraland ) and the entire Nigeria populace at large. Like several of her people she must have been touched, indeed agonized by many past workers at the two federal government-owned companies who have died from debilitating terminal diseases caused by months without pay.
The inexcusable deliberate delays, ping-pong blame game and outright subterfuge that have characterized the operations of the steel company were clearly avoidable. So, how can she forget when through barefaced stealing the treasures of both companies were carted away by unpatriotic souls to lands both foreign and within the country, under different guises of concessioning or privatization?
Indeed, the current scenario paints a gloomy picture far removed by the vision of those who conceptualized the idea of the steel company in the first place. For, as at political independence in 1960 the leaders saw the need for an in-country steel industry to galvanize industrialization. The idea, salutary as it seemed however, remained in the dark until at the tail end of 1979.The General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military government signed the first global contract to give light and life to the steel company. Back then, hopes were high that it would stimulate industrial revolution through its much-needed products, generate employment, and improve on human capacity development. Furthermore, it would encourage local technology with machine fabrication and reduce over dependence on imported tools and machines that have seen to huge capital flights.
By 1983 the Steel company had attained 95 per cent completion with four rolling mills (light section, billets, wire rod, medium/structural processes) in operation. Unfortunately, little did the brains behind the money-guzzling project (valued at $7 billion dollars) understand the undercurrents of international politics between the Soviet Union and the United States soon at play? In simple terms, the so called advanced economies out of sheer mischief and primordial jealousy could not fathom how a third world oil-rich country would establish and develop a steel company. Similarly, some political bigwigs within the country, who felt sad that such treasures were not found within their communities.
The best way forward is to listen to the wise counsel of one Mister Akin George of the Nigeria Mining and Geoscientists Society, NMGS had warned that : “No country can develop without an iron and steel industry. It is the backbone of industrialization. So, if the Committee set to look into its operations says it should be scrapped, that is nonsense and we can’t accept that rubbish. The person doing that is in connivance with the imperialist western world who do not want us to succeed.”
The earlier we realise this and act accordingly the better for us all. To Natasha one would say, keep up the good fight.
