The federal government Thursday called on the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) to suspend its ongoing industrial action in the interest of industrial harmony and stability in the steel sector.
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, in a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Tine-Iulun acknowledged the concerns raised by the Association, which were formally presented to the Ministry through the National Steel Council.
He noted that the concerns include alleged undervaluation of scrap metals, weight reductions arising from malpractices involving weighing scales, involvement of local and other steel-producing companies in direct scrap trading, importation of billets, and other practices perceived to be limiting effective participation of local scrap dealers in the steel value chain.
Audu said that the issues are currently receiving due consideration in consultation with the National Steel Council, with a view to developing practical and sustainable institutional measures to address them.
To facilitate resolution, the minister has directed the Permanent Secretary, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council, to invite the apex leadership of NASWDEN for further discussions and mediation on the issues raised and their implications for steel-producing companies and other operators.
He urged NASWDEN and all stakeholders in the industry, particularly steel-producing companies, to cooperate fully, uphold their obligations, and embrace dialogue and good faith in resolving the dispute.
He also called on stakeholders to recognise the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in repositioning the steel sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Federal Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for investment, increased domestic production and local participation.
The minister stressed that building a strong and competitive domestic steel industry requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders, adding that no individual or group interest should undermine the national objective of developing a viable steel industry to drive industrialisation.
He said the collective efforts of stakeholders are critical to achieving the Federal Government’s target of 10 million metric tonnes of annual steel production by 2030, while strengthening local value addition, creating jobs and reducing dependence on imported steel.
He, therefore, appealed to NASWDEN to sheathe its sword, suspend the industrial action and return to the negotiation table, assuring the Association of the Ministry’s readiness to facilitate constructive engagement.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a fair, stable and conducive operating environment for all legitimate stakeholders and to engaging relevant parties towards sustainable development of the steel industry.