S enator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, expressed strong disapproval of the N4.2 billion allocated in the 2024 budget for personnel costs at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. During an investigative hearing on alleged corruption and inefficiency at the steel company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Senate ad hoc committee, questioned the validity of the expenditure.
In the hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded detailed information from Summaila Abdul Akaba, the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company, regarding the personnel funded by the N4.2 billion. Despite being an indigene of the area and having a vested interest in the company's revival, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that during her unannounced visits to the plant, she rarely found more than ten employees working.
The Senator highlighted the contradiction between the substantial personnel budget and the lack of production or operational activity at the steel mill. She remarked, “The sum of N4.2 billion was appropriated for personnel cost in 2024, but from several visitations I made to the complex, hardly were 10 people sighted to be around or doing anything. So, who are the workers collecting monthly salaries from the appropriated N4.2 billion?”
Akpoti-Uduaghan further pointed out the discrepancy between the budgeted amount and the actual workforce, questioning where the claimed number of 14,000 or 8,400 workers was located given the minimal presence observed.
Senator Osita Ngwu, the Minority Whip and a committee member, interrupted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s line of questioning, urging against self-incrimination as the appropriation had been approved by the National Assembly.
In his closing remarks, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the ad hoc Committee, assured that all presentations and submissions from the hearing would be carefully reviewed to address the issues at Ajaokuta Steel Company. Key stakeholders at the hearing included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and the Steel and Engineering Union Workers of Nigeria.
This scrutiny of the Ajaokuta Steel Company’s finances and operations underscores the ongoing concerns about corruption and inefficiency within the sector.
0 Comments