The Ohaneaze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has back National Assembly over Ajaukuta Steel probe while criticizing the traditional rulers in Kogi State for opposing the Senate investigative panel on Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe.
The criticism was prompted by a letter written to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by the Ebira Area Traditional Rulers Council.
The Senate, following a motion sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), established a committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the operations of the steel company and the Iron Ore mining company.
Senator Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire SAN (APC Ondo Central) is set to chair the investigative panel, with Senator Kawu Suleiman (NNPP Kano South) as the deputy chairman.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted the potential of these companies to advance Nigeria’s technological and industrial sectors, expressing concerns over their prolonged inactivity due to lack of political will and bureaucratic corruption.
In contrast, the Ebira monarchs objected to the Senate’s resolutions, emphasizing caution and urging against dragging the companies into controversies.
Reacting to this, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, affirmed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion, stressing the importance of investigating the state of affairs in Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company.
He refuted claims that the companies belong solely to Ebira land or Kogi State, asserting their status as national assets belonging to all Nigerians.
Nnabuike praised the Senate’s decision to initiate the probe, stating that it is necessary to salvage and revitalize these invaluable assets for the benefit of the entire country.
The Igbo youth group expressed support for the probe, condemning any actions that undermine national economic interests, and calling for thorough investigation to expose and hold accountable those responsible for sabotaging the companies.
They emphasized the potential of these companies to create jobs and boost Nigeria’s GDP, pledging full support to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate in their efforts to revitalize the national assets.
“We must state clearly that the investigative panel as constituted by the Senate is very apt and long overdue.
“It is curious that for years now, Ajaokuta Steel and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, which are national assets, have been left moribund, despite interventions by the federal government.
“One cannot take one’s eyes away from the fact that it is a collective asset belonging to the Nigerian people, just like the oil industry and every other national economic asset. It does not belong to Ebira land and by extension Kogi State, so the traditional rulers erred by their opposition to the decision taken by the Senate.
“The motion, sponsored by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which informed the Senate’s decision needs to be applauded and not vilified.
“It is a step in the right direction to salvage what is left of those invaluable assets,” he said.
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