Reps to review Obasanjo’s, other audit reports on Ajaokuta Steel

The House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development says it will review all audit reports on the Ajaokuta Steel Company to ensure a comprehensive legislative process for its revival.

The committee’s Chairman, Zainab Gimba, emphasised the importance of examining past evaluations, including those from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, to guide the revitalisation efforts.

Gimba spoke on Thursday when she led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Ministry of Steel Development, The Nations reports.

Meanwhile, Minister of Steel Development, Mohammed Audu, reassured the lawmakers that while independent assessments have been conducted, the government’s procurement process remains transparent and thorough.

Speaking on the visit, Gimba said “We have heard their challenges. We know that one of the major focuses of this government is to develop the steel sector.

“The steel sector is expected to take over from the only sector given the fact that oil is getting exhausted. You know the efforts of the President in his renewed hope agenda is to develop a steel sector that is viable and will bring a lot of fortune to Nigerians. We are particularly optimistic about efforts to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company and the entire steel sector.”

In his remarks, the steel development minister refuted claims that the ministry had violated procurement procedures by permitting a Russian company to conduct an audit of the complex before completing the official processes.

He emphasised that the complex is open to any interested party for auditing, with no cost incurred by the government.