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 on 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.
