The House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development has kicked against the circulation of substandard iron rods in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Committee, Zainab Gimba, said that there is an urgent need to address the rising rate of building collapse which could also be traced to use substandard rods for building.
Gimba in her opening address at an interactive session with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja, called for stakeholders’ collaboration to address the building collapse problem.
She noted that recent findings revealed manipulations in iron rods where 10 mm is actually 7.56 mm, 12 mm is 9.25 mm and 16 mm is actually 11.25 mm.
Not doing enough
The lawmaker berated the supervising agencies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for not doing enough to address the problem.
Gimba said that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Consumer Protection Agency must sit up to address the challenge.
‘We can no longer stand akimbo while watching as some wicke
d businessmen are sending innocent Nigerians to untimely deaths.
‘And in being on top of our mandate, the committee is committed to making Ajaokuta Steel company work in line with Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda, while considering reasonable jail terms to effectively handle producers and prevent the circulation of sub-substandard iron rods in the country.
‘We are already assiduously looking at resuscitating the Bill in this regard, by applying the needed amendments to hammer economic saboteurs who are poised to embarrassing us continuously.
‘Above all, we all must continue to take all necessary actions to protect the steel industry; maintain a sense of purpose by demonstrating insatiable commitment to our statutory obligations,’ she said.
Deal with offenders
She also said that the committee will commence investigation into the matter and deal with offenders.
‘We must remember that we need to collaborate extensively with the Legislature to find urgent and sustainable solution to the ugly and unfortun
ate problem of proliferation of sub-standard iron rods in Nigerian markets, which has led to serious cases of incessant building collapse with its attendant multiple deaths of innocent Nigerians.
‘I want to make it unambiguously clear that the committee lis ever committed to robust engagement with critical stakeholders, well structured, positioned and geared towards the fulfillment of the Renewed Economic and Developmental Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
‘He has adequately displayed passion by creating the Ministry for Steel Development with two Ministers, to see to the speedy development of the steel sector, thus providing Nigerians the needed material at affordable cost while boosting the Nation’s revenue generation.
‘We must not forget that steel can overwhelmingly diversity the Nigerian economy and create employment opportunities as it is obtainable in other developed counties like Russia, United States and India.
‘Therefore, all hands must eagerly be on deck, to flow with Mr. President’s vision for
the speedy development of the steel industry, and ultimately reduce the country’s dependence on the oil industry,’ she said.
The lawmaker said that important issues like the Metallurgical Bill and the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel Company needed the support and collaboration of all stakeholders.
Noting that the matter had caused huge embarrassment for country.
The committee refused to engage the representative of the President of the NSE, Ms Margaret Oguntala, insisting she must appear in person.
She was represented by the Project Manager of Comppon Nigeria Company, Engr Chinasaokwu Okojie.
Source :News Agency of Nigeria
