The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to suspend the ongoing process for the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company for proper stakeholder consultations.
The House also asked its Committee in Steel to investigate allegations of infractions to due process and non- compliance with due diligence procedure in the exercise.
In a resolution One at plenary following a motion it urgent public importance by Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, the House asked the Minister of Mines and Steel Development to appear before the House in plenary to explain details of the concession process.
The lawmaker referred the House to an advertorial by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development published in other national dailies requesting for qualifications for the concession of the two companies ob a PPP basis.
He said while the steel industry remains the backbone of development meant to provide the basic raw materials for public infrastructure development in key sectors of the economy, it is very important in any meaningful efforts towards achieving economic prosperity and development of the nation as no economy can survive without its steel industry functioning optimally.
He said the 11th hour request for the concession of these strategic national assets like the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company by the Ministry at the twilight of the current administration having left with less than 30 days to the end of an 8-year tenure seems to be self-serving, unpatriotic and not of national interest.
He question the timing of the concession arrangement, saying “why now? why the hurry to concession such strategic national assets within a narrow window of less than six weeks?
“Why the rush to consummate a concession deal during this transitional period and not leave it for the incoming administration which stands inaugurated on the 29th of May 2023.”
He said the public and major stakeholders in the steel sector and other relevant industrial sectors of the economy may not have been adequately informed and carried along or due process not followed considering the speed at which the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development is carrying out the concession exercise.
He said there should be a robust stakeholder consultation and adoption of proper procurement, due diligence and due process protocols are well adhered to and observed in the said concession deals and in the best national interest.