The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to suspend the ongoing concessioning of Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC) Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) in Itakpe.
The lawmakers said the call was necessary to allow for proper stakeholders’ consultation. This followed the adoption of a motion raised at the resumption of plenary, yesterday, by Abdullahi Halims, entitled ‘Urgent need to suspend the last-minute concession of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe at the twilight of the present administration’.
Halims argued that the 11th hour request for the concession of strategic national assets such as ASC and NIOMCO by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development seems to be self-serving, unpatriotic and not of national interest.
He said: “We are also worried about the timing of the concession arrangement. 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 May 29, 2023.
“We are concerned that the public and major stakeholders in the steel sector and other relevant 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.
“We are desirous that 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.”
The Green Chamber, therefore, summoned the Minister of Mines and Steel Development to appear before it to explain details of the concession process. It also mandated the House Committee on Steel to investigate allegation of infractions to due process and non-compliance with due diligence procedures.
