Kunle Kalejaye
19 March 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public petitions will hear petitions made against the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development by the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District over the resuscitation of National Iron-Ore Mining Company, NIOMCO Itape and Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Sweetcrude Reports gathered that 15 written petitions have been made against Ministry of Mines and Steel Development by the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and other concerned professional bodies.
The petition which was submitted on the 28th of November, 2016 was facilitated by Senator Ahmed Ogembe representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In a letter addressed to Secretary General of Africa Iron and Steel Association, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public said issues hovering the resuscitation of NIOMCO Itakpe and Ajaokuta Steel Company have been referred to them for legislative investigation.
The committee in the letter obtained by our correspondent explained that the Africa Iron and Steel Association appear before it on Wednesday 22, 2017 at meeting room 120, New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex Abuja to make a presentation in connection with the petition.
The committee in the letter also informed AISA, that Oral, written and material evidence would be accepted during their presentation.
Beside AISA, it was gathered professional stakeholders such as Nigerian Metallurgical society, Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association, Miners Association of Nigeria, Society of Engineers, Host Communities will appear for the hearing
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Builders Hub, Natasha Akpoti when contacted by our correspondent thanked Senator Ogembe for his efforts in lending his voice for the resuscitation of Ajaokuta and NIOMCO.
She said: “Beloved Senator Ogembe, thank you so much for your effort in hearing our cries. We trust that your committee shall do justice to the decades-long-ills around our national assets. We hope that your unbiased actions shall help the common man restore his faith in the National Assembly once again.”