During an investigative hearing on alleged corruption and inefficiency at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company dating back to 2002, the Senate expressed dissatisfaction with the N4.2bn allocated in the 2024 budget for personnel costs of unidentified workers.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), Deputy Chairman of the Committee, confronted the Sole Administrator, Summaila Akaba, regarding individuals receiving salaries from the N4.2 billion earmarked for personnel expenses in 2024.
As a local resident keen on revitalizing the steel company, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed that despite her surprise visits, she rarely found more than 10 people present at the facility.
She further lamented the absence of steel production or milling despite the substantial personnel costs incurred, questioning the rationale behind such expenditures.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised valid points, highlighting the discrepancy in the number of workers indicated to be on payroll compared to the actual workforce observed at Ajaokuta Steel Company.
She questioned, “Who are the beneficiaries of the N4.2bn personnel budget if the workforce is significantly lower than anticipated?”
Within the committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West), the Minority Whip, prevented the sole administrator from responding to the questions raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, reminding the assembly that the budgetary allocation had been approved by the National Assembly.
Concluding the investigative hearing, Committee Chairman Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC – Ondo Central) reassured that the inputs and submissions provided by stakeholders would be thoroughly reviewed to determine a course of action.