Abuja:The Minister of Steel Development, Shua’ibu Audu, has urged the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to negotiations. This appeal was made through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Nura Rimi, in a statement from the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations Department.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister emphasized the importance of industrial harmony and mutual understanding for the stability and development of Nigeria’s steel sector. He acknowledged the concerns raised by NASWDEN, which were formally communicated to the ministry through the National Steel Council. These concerns include the alleged undervaluation of scrap metals, weight discrepancies due to malpractices with weighing scales, and the involvement of steel companies in direct scrap-metal trading and billet importation.
Audu mentioned that these issues are being addressed in consultation with the National Steel Council to develop balanced and sustainable solutions. He instructed the Permanent Secretary to collaborate with the Office of the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council to engage NASWDEN’s leadership in further discussions and mediation.
The minister called on NASWDEN and all stakeholders, particularly steel-producing companies, to cooperate and uphold their obligations. He stressed the need for dialogue and responsible engagement to resolve sectoral issues and urged stakeholders to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda to develop Nigeria’s steel sector.
Audu highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering investment and increasing domestic production and participation in the steel value chain. He reiterated the goal of achieving 10 million metric tonnes of annual steel production by 2030, which would boost local value addition, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imported steel.
The minister concluded by appealing to NASWDEN to suspend the industrial action and assured them of the ministry’s readiness to facilitate constructive dialogue to resolve the issues. He reaffirmed the commitment to a fair and stable environment for all stakeholders in the steel industry.