The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has commenced an investigation into the operations of Zuma Steel West Africa Limited, the core investor in the former Jos Steel Rolling Company, over allegations of breach of its privatization agreement and abandonment of the facility.
The probe followed a petition submitted by former workers of the company, led by its former Public Relations Officer, Mr. Danjuma Samuel Agbo, who appeared before the committee alongside over 20 ex-employees during the first hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The petitioners urged lawmakers to investigate what they described as years of neglect and alleged failure by the company to meet the terms of the privatization agreement.
“We are calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the company, the abandonment of the steel plant and the violation of the privatization agreement entered into by Zuma Steel West Africa Ltd,” the petition stated.
The former workers further alleged that more than 10 years after the company took over the facility, there had been no meaningful production, while critical assets, including armoured cables and other equipment, had allegedly been vandalized.
According to them, “Instead of reviving the company, valuable assets have allegedly been vandalized and taken away, leaving the steel plant in a worse condition than it was.”
The petitioners also recalled that members of the Plateau State Youth Council earlier this year intercepted the movement of some critical assets allegedly being removed from the factory premises to an unknown destination.
They further accused the company of neglecting its obligations to former employees.
“Many workers who were expected to be absorbed after privatization have been left in limbo, while some of those re-engaged have allegedly been subjected to harassment,” the petitioners told the committee.
