Kogi Heritage Protection Advocacy has pleaded with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, among others, to stop the Federal Government’s proposals for concessions on the Itakpe Iron Ore Company and the Ajaokuta Steel Company right now, Entrepreneurng report.
In the interest of Nigerians now and in the future, the advocacy group also urged the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to overturn the government’s decision.
The Kogi Heritage Protection Advocacy continued to call on the National Assembly’s leadership and the relevant civil society organizations to act quickly.
The group’s spokesperson, Engr. Edward Jatto, made the announcement on Monday at a news conference held at the JATTO fm, Okene, headquarters.
“On April 21, 2023, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news that the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development put up an international and local advertisement on the concessioning of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore Company,” stated Jatto, who is also a media professional.
He claims that “the advertisement gave interested local and international companies only 20 days threshold torespond with detailed offers (not just expressions of interest)”.
We note with dismay that the Federal Government has started the concession procedure for the two enterprises with an advertisement in some national dailies, according to the statement.
“We hereby criticize the Federal Government’s concession plan for the Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore Company, which will not reflect genuine and transparent participation of all interest groups for equity, fairness, and justice to Nigerians, without recourse to the National Assembly and the host communities.”
“It is clearly at odds with and in violation of infrastructure concession regulatory commission (ICRC), which mandates six weeks for tender advert and responses, for the 20 days threshold allowed for reaction to the advertisements to allow for any substantial pre-bid preparations.”
“To put it another way, Jatto said, “The 20 days response cannot realistically bid for the steel plant, nor will their bids meaningfully reflect the realities of a massive steel complex like the Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron.”
The Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s action, which he continued, “calls for national concern, and we are worried because it could have a negative impact on the economy of the country and the well-being of the host communities as it will subject the people to an unimaginable hardship.
The current federal government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, is rushing the concessioning process as it prepares to hand over leadership to a newly democratically elected government of President-elect, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a few weeks. This has us concerned and suspicious of shady dealings.
“On this point, we thank the Kogi State High Court of Justice’s Lokoja Division for preventing the Federal Government from granting the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe the concession they had expected to receive.”
“Carrying out any of the itemized functions or activities as contained in their publication published in the Daily Trust of Friday, April 21, 2023” was prohibited, including the virtual pre-qualification for conference or interview scheduled for May 4, 2023, while the motion on notice was being heard and decided.
“We hereby call on the Federal Government and its agencies, especially the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development involved in the shady deal, to stop and reverse the process of concesioning Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Mining Itakpe in Kogi state for the good of the country.”
In conclusion, we categorically reject the concessioning of Ajaokuta Steel Company and Itakpe Iron Ore Company.
Source: PunchÂ
