Coalitions of four trade union associations at Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCO) have commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing policy efforts to rehabilitate and complete the integrated steel complex.
The alliance noted that the recent engagement of TyazhPromExport (TPE) of Russia by the Federal Government is not just a step in the right direction, but also the first realistic policy effort made by government to complete the complex since it went into comatose decades ago.
The commendation was contained in a correspondence addressed to the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu, a copy of which was transmitted to THE TRUTH by the coalition, titled “Thank You Message From The Coalition of Workers Unions Of Ajaokuta Steel Company To President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu, the Sole Administrator, ASCO, Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaaba And Other Stakeholders For The Follow Up Meeting In Moscow, Russia On The Planned Revival Of ASCO,” dated September 24, 2024.
The correspondence was endorsed by the leaders of the respective trade union associations that constitute the alliance, namely Anouda Isah Umar, Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); Usman Bashiru, Chairman, Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN); Ibrahim Abdulrahaman, Chairman, Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSAN); and Salihu Idowu Adinoyi, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Mines Workers (NUMW).
The coalition described the signing of the MoU between the Federal Government of Nigeria and TyazhPromExport (TPE) of Russia as a demonstration of the political will needed to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, and encouraged the administration to sustain the momentum and ensure that it culminates in the realization of the set goal.
The coalition stated: “We, the Workers Union leaders of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“We also appreciate the tireless efforts of the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu, in engaging the original developers of the company, TyazhPromExport (TPE), for the revival of the steel plant, especially his recent duty tour to Moscow where he engaged a consortium of TPE officials and top ministerial team of the Russian Government in Moscow, which culminated into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at securing their support for the revival of the steel plant.”
While describing the engagement of TyazhPromExport as a “milestone that marks a significant step towards achieving the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda through reviving ASCO,” the coalition noted that it is “the first bold step to be taken by government in many years.”
Justifying the commendation, the coalition stated: “Our enthusiasm is predicated on the fact that this is the first time in so many years that the Federal Government of Nigeria is showing what we would describe as a systematic process of engagement with TPE – the original builders of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in a similar type of engagement in Abuja between 10th and 15th June, 2001 with a view to finding a workable arrangement for the revival and operationalization of the Steel Plant.”
The coalition expressed confidence in government’s new enterprise aimed at reviving ASCO and NIOMCO, saying: “We strongly believe that this new initiative would be to the glory of the Nigerian engineering family and the great people of our dear nation.”
“We salute the courage of the minister for driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President in the area of providing the enabler for industrialization through Steel Development.”
The coalition commended the leadership of the Company, saying: “We appreciate the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited, Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaaba for his dedication and unwavering support to the government towards revitalizing the company and for the leadership he has provided for years in the company despite the challenges thrown up.”
“We acknowledge the efforts of all other stakeholders who have contributed to this noble course especially our supportive and dedicated workers who have given all their life and time to ensure that there is still an investment called Ajaokuta Steel Plant.”
Saluting the workers, the coalition stated: “To our great workers, we thank you for supporting the minister and giving him hope that you will be there as always for Ajaokuta to work.”
Discussing some the benefits which the resuscitation of ASCO will deliver to Nigerians, the coalition addressed the minister, saying: “Honorable Minister, it is our strong believe that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company is a groundbreaking move that will revolutionize the Nigerian economy when realized,” adding that the effort will create over 10,000 directs jobs, provide competitive salaries and benefits for its workers, career advancement opportunities, job security, and professional growth and development especially in engineering and innovation which are crucial to national economic development.
According to the coalition, ‘the bold step by the present administration is an elixir to the nation’s economic drive towards diversification and growth, job creation through spin-offs that would create windows of jobs for a projected 500,000 Nigerians, reduce dependence on imported steel and increase the contribution of the steel sector to the country’s GDP.”
“It would significantly address Nigeria’s hydra-headed security challenges of banditry, kidnapping and robberies that are wiping away our agro-allied sector and endangering food security,” the coalition noted.
“Furthermore, we thank all Nigerians for their prayers and support over the years for the revitalization of the Ajaokuta Steel Project and urge Nigerians and all stakeholders to rally round President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu, and the Sole Administrator, Engr. Sumaila Abdul-Akaaba in the current efforts of this government.”
The group encouraged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration. “We urge everyone to recognize the importance of this project, to the national economy as local production of steel and other related products will reduce dependence on imported goods and increase Nigeria’s global competitiveness.”
The group encouraged the minister to remain steadfast in the efforts saying: “We urge you, Mr. Minister, do not to be deterred on this journey of faith. It is our fervent prayer that with the support and the strength of character of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under his Renewed Hope Agenda, Ajaokuta Steel Plant shall prevail.”
