Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has affirmed that Nigeria has no business signing deals with China for rails when the tracks can be produced in Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company.
He stated this in Ajaokuta, Kogi State when he led Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Privatisation to Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Company.
He noted that the steel company which was almost 92 per cent completed but abandoned by previous government does not speak well of the country. He added that this has nothing to do with the present government as all past governments are guilty.
According to him: “For 22 years they should have had a plan through the minister of National planning. The Minister of National Planning should be the one integrating the policies of any government in power at the particular time.”
He continued, “When you go through the detailed presentation and listen to arguments it is difficult to draw conclusions when you don’t listen to the reasons why you are here in the first place.
“That is why it was important for all of us to listen to the argument and understand the reason why. I am really touched by the presentation and the kind of leadership you have here. What is really clear to me is that the leadership of Ajaokuta Steel Plant are very patriotic Nigerians because you must never sell your soul for money. First of all you are Nigerians, secondly you want to develop this beautiful country and create job opportunities for your people and more importantly you want to create an environment,” he advised.
