Ministry of Steel Development has said that the Minister, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, is repositioning the Steel and Metals Sector, to ensure due process is followed in investigating and resolving issues at the National Steel Council in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

According to a statement signed on behalf of the permanent secretary at the ministry by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Salamatu F. Jibaniya, recent Allegations by a Civil Society Organisation under the aegis, Alliance for Credible Legislative Conduct (ACLC) against the Minister were part of a mere ploy by some individuals with vested interests to sabotage the efforts of the Minister.

The statement reads:
“The attention of the Ministry of Steel Development has been drawn to some fictitious allegations by a Civil Society Organisation under the aegis, Alliance for Credible Legislative Conduct (ACLC) against the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, as it relates to the National Steel Council (NSC).

“These allegations are just a mere ploy by some individuals with vested interests to sabotage the efforts of the Honourable Minister in repositioning the Steel and Metals Sector, and ensure due process is followed in investigating and resolving issues at the National Steel Council in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“Contrary to these allegations, the Honourable Minister of Steel Development upon assuming duty interfaced with the Executive Secretary of the Steel Council, charged with piloting the affairs of the NSC, a Council under his Ministry.

“The Honourable Minister received briefings on some allegations bordering on various issues that were on the ground between the National Steel Council and its Governing Board before he assumed duty.

“Upon receiving a briefing and listening to all sides, the Honourable Minister acted accordingly and immediately set up a fact-finding committee on February 9, 2024 to investigate the several allegations at the Council.

“The report of the fact-finding committee was submitted to the Honourable Minister on March 25, 2024 for his review and consideration. The Honourable Minister is currently studying the report before taking necessary actions.

“These briefings, investigations, and meetings are not prejudice to the Presidential Directive with circular ref. No. SGF.19/S.81/XX/108 of June 16, 2023, dissolving all Boards of Federal Government parastatals, Agencies, Institutions and Government-owned Companies, except those listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Honourable Minister of Steel Development is fully committed to turning around the economy through industralisation of which the Steel sector is a key component as envisioned through the creation of the new Ministry of Steel Development under the Administration and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The general public should be guided accordingly”, the statement concluded.