A Coalition of over 50 civil society organisations (CSOs) across the country and beyond has raised concern over the state of Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC), while calling on the Federal Government to revive it.
In a statement, yesterday, representatives of the CSOs urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately review the ongoing process, as part of his New Hope Agenda, and invite key stakeholders to take another look at existing policies and recommend the way forward.
They said the recent disclosure by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, that Tinubu approved the setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the execution of three steel development projects, including the revival of ASC, leaves much to be desired.
“We are concerned that an Inter-Ministerial Committee on steel development or Ajaokuta revival comprising Ministries of Finance, Industry, Trade and Investment as well as Solid Minerals, without the inclusion of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, where raw materials, research and development are major component, does not imply the government understands the policy issue on Ajaokuta.
“We believe that the two mandates of the yet-to-be inaugurated inter-ministerial committee are unclear and lack adequate capacity without the inclusion of the private sector, professionals and monitors, especially non-state actors, for effective policy drive,” they stated.
The statement signed by National Coordinator, Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative, Abuja; Mohammed Attah; President, African Citizens Development Foundation, Lagos, Dele Ajayi-Smith and Executive Director, Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights and Development, Uyo, Clifford
Thomas, noted: “It is on record from recent audit that to revive several units of the ASCL today, including the power plant, gas plant, light steel plant and others will not require up to the amount proposed.”
