Steel Agencies Must Handle Procurement – House Committee

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development, Hon. Zainab Gimba, on Wednesday, insisted that agencies created by Acts of Parliament must be allowed to carry out their statutory responsibilities, particularly in procurement matters.

She spoke during the 2025 budget appraisal and 2026 budget defence session of the Ministry of Steel Development at the National Assembly, Abuja.

In attendance were the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Abubakar Shaibu; the Permanent Secretary; heads of agencies under the ministry; and members of the committee.

Gimba warned against situations in which budget subheads such as exploration, research, and training are domiciled under the ministry, despite the existence of agencies specifically established to handle such functions.

“An instance of this nature occurs where subheads like exploration, research and training come under the ministry when we have designated agencies for such responsibilities. We will not tolerate such in your 2026 budget,” she said.

The lawmaker stressed that the National Assembly would not accept any breach of existing laws or attempts to sideline the legislature in key decisions.