Kasim Sumaina
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite has debunked what he termed as false narratives carried by some media outlets on Ajaokuta Steel plant and its purported hand over to a British firm.
Adegbite in a statement yesterday in Abuja, by his S.A Media Ayodeji Adeyemi, stated that at no time did he say that the federal government was handing over Ajaokuta to a British firm for rehabilitation.
The minister clarified that a local Nigerian firm with a British partner had expressed interest in carrying out the technical audit for free with no preconditions.
He pointed out that the federal government had been in discussion with a Russian firm Messrs TPE (nominated by the Russian government) towards conducting the technical audit. The war between Ukraine and Russia had caused a setback to the proposed plan.
Adegbite noted that it was difficult to move forward with the Russian firm due to international sanctions placed on Russia, which has also impacted Russian firms and businesses.
“Meanwhile, a local company in partnership with a British company has offered to execute the technical audit at no cost to Nigeria and with no preconditions.
“This was what I said at the media parley at the state house and not that Ajaokuta would be handed over to a British company for rehabilitation,” the minister clarified.
Adegbite explained that when the technical audit would be completed, the result would be shared with all interested investors and potential partners interested in Ajaokuta Steel Plant resuscitation, which they would use to enter their submission bids.
“To ensure that the entire process is transparent, a firm was appointed in 2018 as Transaction Advisor.
“This firm has been revalidated by the BPP (Bureau of Public Procurement) and will guide and ensure a transparent due process in the selection of the eventual firm for Ajaokuta Steel restoration.
“The Technical Assistance will carry out all financial, environmental and technical due process to establish the successful firm and the mode of engagement. The various bids would then be ranked by the transaction advisor according to merits.”
Adegbite noted that the outcome of the transaction advisors work would be taken to the Federal Executive Council for a robust discussion and eventual decision.
