Senate Probes Alleged Corruption at Ajaokuta Steel Company

The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns over the unverifiable number of workers collecting salaries from N4.2 billion allocated for personnel costs at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited. The company, which has been non-functional for years, has been plagued by allegations of corruption and inefficiency.

During an investigative hearing, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, deputy chairman of the ad hoc committee, questioned the sole administrator of the company, Summaila Abdul Akaba, about the number of workers collecting salaries from the allocated funds. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern that despite her visits to the complex, she rarely saw more than 10 people on site, leading her to wonder who the 14,000 or 8,400 workers were who were supposed to be receiving salaries.

However, Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Osita Ngwu, intervened, saying that the committee should not “indict themselves” since the appropriation was approved by the National Assembly.

The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, assured that the committee would thoroughly review the presentations and submissions made by stakeholders, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, a director from the Central Bank of Nigeria, and others, to produce a solution report on Ajaokuta Steel Company for the Senate.

The hearing aimed to uncover the truth behind the alleged corruption and inefficiency at the company, which has been a thorn in the side of the Nigerian government for years.