2 months ago
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The Middle Belt Youths Council on Monday urged President Bola Tinubu to order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct a comprehensive probe into the long history of alleged corruption in the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The aggrieved youths, who made the appeal at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, expressed disappointment over the inaction of the commission under successive governments.
The steel industry has been in existence long before Nigeria secured its independence and has outlived the leadership of 15 heads of government and presidents.
The Ajaokuta steel company has also gulped billions of dollars in investment over the decades as successive governments failed to revive and see to its efficiency.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the National Leader of the Middle Belt Youth Council, Emmanuel Zopmal expressed disappointment over the poor state of the Ajaokuta project, which he said has been plagued by repeated contract renegotiations, cost overruns and lack of transparency.
Zopmal also urged the Federal Government to charge the EFCC to probe the steel company including the Federal Ministry of Steel Development and Federal Ministry of Justice and prosecute those found complicit in corrupt practices.
He said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the EFCC to work with relevant government agencies to investigate the long history of corrupt practices, financial mismanagement, and lack of accountability at the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
“However, the reality is dire. All the major figures in the Federal Ministry of Steel Development, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Ajaokuta Steel Company, involved in the manipulative international consortia contract negotiations and agreements, must be identified and brought to justice.
“To achieve this, we demand a comprehensive investigation. The EFCC should conduct a thorough investigation into the corrupt practices, financial mismanagement, and lack of accountability that have plagued the Ajaokuta Steel Company project. The findings of this investigation should be made public, and those found culpable should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
