By Halima Muhammad
The Minister of Steel Development, Shua’ibu Audu, has called on the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to negotiation table.
Audu made the call through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Nura Rimi, in a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations Department in Abuja.
He said the call was in the interest of industrial harmony, mutual understanding and the stability and development of Nigeria’s steel sector.
The minister acknowledged concerns by NASWDEN which were formally presented to the ministry through the National Steel Council.
He said the concerns included alleged undervaluation of scrap metals and weight reductions arising from malpractices involving weighing scales.
Audu also listed the involvement of local and other steel-producing companies in direct scrap-metal trading and the importation of billets among the concerns by the association.
He said NASWDEN had also raised concerns over other practices perceived to be limiting the effective participation of local scrap dealers in the steel value chain.
The minister said the concerns were being considered in consultation with the National Steel Council, with a view to developing practical, balanced and sustainable measures to address them.
Audu directed the Permanent Secretary to work with the Office of the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council to invite NASWDEN’s leadership for further discussions and mediation.
He said the discussions would address the issues raised by the association and their implications for steel-producing companies and other operators in the sector.
The minister urged NASWDEN and all stakeholders in the steel industry, particularly steel-producing companies, to cooperate fully and uphold their respective obligations.
He called on all parties to embrace dialogue, good faith and responsible engagement in resolving the issues affecting the sector.
Audu also urged stakeholders to recognise the efforts and policy direction of President Bola Tinubu toward repositioning and developing Nigeria’s steel sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the Federal Government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, increased domestic production, local participation and sustainable growth across the steel value chain.
The minister said developing a strong and competitive domestic steel industry required the collective commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders.
He said such cooperation was essential to achieving the Federal Government’s target of 10 million metric tonnes of annual steel production by 2030.
According to him, the target would strengthen local value addition, create employment opportunities and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel products.
Audu, therefore, urged NASWDEN to sheathe its sword, suspend the industrial action and return to the negotiation table.
He assured the association and other stakeholders of the ministry’s readiness to facilitate constructive engagement toward resolving the issues raised.
The minister reiterated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a fair, stable and conducive operating environment for all legitimate stakeholders in the steel sector.(NAN)(NAN)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
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