By ABAH SUNDAY, Abuja
Nigeria’s Ministry of Steel Development has stated that contrary to allegations being peddled by a group, the Minister, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has been interfacing with the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Steel Council (NSC) and other stakeholders with a view to resolving issues affecting the Council.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Press and Public Relations department of the ministry on Friday.
It read in part: The attention of the Ministry of Steel Development has been drawn to some fictitious allegations by a Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of Alliance for Credible Legislative Conduct (ACLC) against the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, as it relates to the National Steel Council (NSC).
“These allegations are just a mere ploy by some individuals with vested interests to sabotage the efforts of the Honourable Minister in repositioning the Steel and Metals Sector, and ensure due process is followed in investigating and resolving issues at the National Steel Council in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“Contrary to these allegations, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development upon assuming duty interfaced with the Executive Secretary of the Steel Council, charged with piloting the affairs of the NSC, a Council under his Ministry.”
According to the statement, the Minister received briefings on some allegations bordering on various issues that were on ground between the National Steel Council and its governing board before he assumed duty.
And having listened to all sides, he immediately proceeded to set up a fact-finding committee on February 9, 2024 to investigate the allegations.
The report of the fact-finding committee was submitted to the Honourable Minister on March 25, 2024 for his review and consideration. The Honourable Minister is currently studying the report before taking necessary actions.
These briefings, investigations, and meetings are not prejudice to the Presidential Directive with circular ref. No. SGF.19/S.81/XX/108 of June 16, 2023, dissolving all Boards of federal government parastatals, agencies, institutions and government-owned companies, except those listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While urging the general public to disregard the allegations, the Ministry said, “The Honourable Minister of Steel Development is fully committed to turning around the economy through industralisation of which the Steel sector is a key component as envisioned through the creation of the new Ministry of Steel Development under the Administration and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.”