It’s time to break the curse of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, according to the chairman of the Senate Adhoc committee looking into operations at the National Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe and Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in Kogi State.
This was stated by the committee, which is led by Senator Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire (SAN), at a meeting with the company’s management and employees on Wednesday.
However, he claimed that his committee was not in the steel complex with the belief that the business was corrupt or inefficient.
“The committee was rather in the steel plant with a firm commitment to unravel why Ajaokuta Steel Plant is not working, decades after it was established” Senator Adegbonmire said.
He claimed that the purpose of his committee was not to canvass opinions on various social media platforms and other sources, and that canvassing about labor or worker-related issues had no place in their mandate.
“The purpose of the visit is to gain firsthand knowledge from the Steel Plant and to comprehend the state of the Steel Plant.
Therefore, our goal is to make sure that the Steel Plant Works and the Jinx are broken,” he continued.
The company’s acting CEO, Engr. Kanwai Atungs Joseph, had earlier in his welcoming speech expressed gratitude for the interest in the business and acknowledged the significance of their inquiry, which was intended to address the company’s issues.
“We are dedicated to accountability and openness because we understand the trust you have placed in us to manage a national asset like this steel factory. Our business has always worked to maintain this significant government investment, offer high-quality products while in production, and conduct business with integrity.
“We pledge to fully cooperate with this investigation and acknowledge that claims of corruption and inefficiency are grave concerns. We will grant you unrestricted access to our resources and information while you are here.
Our staff is ready to answer any queries or worries you might have, guaranteeing a comprehensive and unbiased inquiry. Yes, it is essential to begin by providing you with an overview of the company’s history, current state, and the reasons we are still here”. He said
