By Palma Ileye
Ministry of Steel Development has called on the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to the negotiation table in the interest of industrial harmony and the development of the steel sector.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, made the appeal on Thursday through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, urging the association and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue in resolving the issues that led to the industrial action.
The Ministry acknowledged the concerns raised by NASWDEN and formally presented through the National Steel Council, including alleged undervaluation of scrap metals, weight reductions linked to alleged manipulation of weighing scales and the involvement of local and other steel-producing companies in direct scrap metal trading.
Other concerns raised by the association include the importation of billets and other practices it believes were limiting the effective participation of local scrap dealers in the steel value chain.
The Ministry said it recognised the seriousness of the concerns and was considering them in consultation with the National Steel Council, with a view to developing practical and sustainable measures to address the issues.
According to the Ministry, the Minister has directed the Permanent Secretary, in collaboration with the Office of the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council, to invite the apex leadership of NASWDEN for further discussions and mediation.
The meeting, it said, would provide an opportunity for all parties to address the concerns raised by the association and examine their implications for steel-producing companies and other operators in the sector.
The Minister also urged NASWDEN and steel-producing companies to cooperate fully and uphold their respective obligations, stressing the need for good faith and responsible engagement in resolving the dispute.
A statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations Department of the ministry, Maureen Tine-Iulun, said the Federal Government remained committed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for repositioning and developing Nigeria’s steel industry.
It said the government was focused on creating an enabling environment for investment, increased domestic production, local participation and sustainable growth across the steel value chain.
The Ministry further said the collective commitment of stakeholders was necessary to achieve the Federal Government’s target of 10 million metric tonnes of annual steel production by 2030.
It added that achieving the target would strengthen local value addition, create employment opportunities and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel products.
The Minister therefore appealed to NASWDEN to “sheath its sword,” suspend the industrial action and return to negotiations, assuring the association and other stakeholders that the ministry was ready to facilitate constructive engagement towards resolving the issues.
The Ministry said it would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to ensure a fair, stable and conducive operating environment for legitimate operators and promote the sustainable development of Nigeria’s steel industry.
