During an investigative hearing on alleged corruption and inefficiency at Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company, the Senate expressed discontent over the N4.2 billion allocated in the 2024 budget for personnel costs with unverifiable worker numbers.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), the deputy chairman of the committee, questioned the sole administrator, Summaila Abdul Akaba, about the employees supposedly receiving salaries from the allocated N4.2 billion.
Addressing the issue, Natasha mentioned, “The sum of N4.2 billion was earmarked for personnel costs in 2024, but during my visits to the complex, I rarely saw more than 10 people actively engaged. Who are the beneficiaries of the allocated funds?”
Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) intervened to prevent the sole administrator from responding and highlighted that the appropriation was approved by the National Assembly.
Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), the chairman of the ad hoc committee, noted that stakeholder presentations would be thoroughly reviewed for a comprehensive report on Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The investigative hearing involved key stakeholders such as the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Enterprises, along with the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Steel and Engineering Union Workers of Nigeria.