The Nigeria Union of Mine Workers has rejected in its entirety the planned sale of the Ajaokuta Steel Company to private sector.
The Union also expressed determination and readiness to work for the development of the Company when operational.
National President of the Union, Alhaji Hamza Mohammed stated this during the inauguration of the newly elected Executive Committee of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers in Lokoja on Thursday.
Mohammed who was represented by the National Treasurer of the union, Comrade Yusuf Osobah, said it will be counter productive, retrogressive and tantamount to selling the God given Commonwealth to some few privilege individuals or groups who have crippled the economic and political fortunes of the country.
“Handing over Ajaokuta Steel Company to any individual or groups will finally seal the future development of the country’s economy and widen the already overstretched unemployment situation” he lamented .
He warned that the ongoing conspiracy theory against Ajaokuta will bumerang on all Nigerians in the future, pointing out that the whole world look up to iron and steel for infrastructural development.
The Union advised the Federal Governmemt to redirect its wasteful spending to the resustication of Ajaokuta Steel Company to support the economy and guarantee the future of Nigerians, as oil is no longer sustainable.
He therefore urged the Federal Governmemt to recall the Russians to work at Ajaokuta and also disregard insinuations on Covid 19 pandemic in Kogi State.
He charged the newly inaugurated Executives to be committed to their responsibilities, dedicated to the course of the Union and support the ideals of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
The Executives were also charged to enlist and organize similar Labour unions in several mining companies across the state as Kogi is littered with several Minerals exploitation and development companies.
The ceremony was attended by the Controller of Labour Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, NLC,TUC and other Trade Unions in Kogi State.
The newly elected officials include Comrade Obokor Newlife (Chairman), Comrade Ocheni Salifu (Vice Chairman), Comrade Habib Musa(Treasurer), Comrade Falade Deola Ayinke (Assist Secretary),Comrade Mohammed (Organising Secretary), Comrade Amonahini Omonayin Moses Financial Secretary and Comrade Dahunsi Charity Atinuke.
Others are Comrade Kabiru Isah Ajana (PRO 1), Comrade Icha Robert (PRO11), Comrade Ibrahim Sheidu (Auditor) and Comrade Binta Fatima Usman ( Women Leader).
The State Secretary of the Union, Comrade Momoh jimoh Salami, who organized and conducted the election explained that the process was very peaceful as the exercise was by concensus and affirmation.
