Ajaokuta Workers Reject Planned Sack

Joseph Ekeng-

Peace is yet to completely return to the premises of Ajaokuta Steel Company following moves by the federal government to sack some of the organisation’s staff.
Minister for Mines and Steel Development, Diezani Alison-Madueke, said recently that the federal government needs to lay off some of the staff as part of the process to restore the company and make it viable again. But the workers union disagrees with government plans, saying the staffers were not the cause of the outfit’s dilemma.
Titus Oriimijupa, president of the Iron and Steel Senior Workers Union, urged the government to look at other ways of revitalising the company.
The company, which has had 11 different managements without success, is reputed to be the largest integrated steel plant in Africa, and a base to launch Nigeria’s industrialisation drive. The federal government recently paid off the 10 months it owed the staff, and has commenced effort to also pay pensions arrears.