Workers of Jos Steel Rolling Mill have accused Eta-Zuma Group West Africa Ltd., its new handlers, of “total failure”, and urged the Federal Government to review the privatisation agreement with the firm.
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Some of the workers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity in Jos said that the 2006 privatisation of the rolling mill had not yielded any fruitful results.
“Since the mill was handed over to private handlers in 2006 not even a single sheet of steel has been rolled out.
“The deal was premised on the belief that it would create jobs, boost revenue yields and reduce importation of steel. None of these goals has been achieved,” a senior staff of the company said.
He accused the handlers of carting away some equipment from the mill and urged government to investigate the activities of the new owners of the firm.
“Jos Steel Rolling Mill was functioning before it was privatised, but everything crumbled after the new owners took over,” he claimed.
Another worker regretted that the mill had become dormant, saying that the ideals of the privatisation had not been achieved.
“The situation is particularly painful when one compares the Jos Steel Rolling mill and its counterparts in Katsina, Warri and other places.
“Part of the deal was that the agreement will be reviewed and possibly revoked if the place is not functional after five years. We want government to invoke this clause,” he said.
He claimed that machines were being vandalised, adding that the steel rolling premises was converted to a store for the sale of fertilisers until the staff reported the issue was reported to the authorities.
“There is something even more amazing. The private handlers of the rolling mill have commercialised the staff quarters and now collect rent from tenants, including the staff.
“All of us (staff), do not know where we will get the money to pay such rents because we are being owed 12 years salaries. The last time we got salaries was in 2007.
“It is not right to refuse to pay salaries only to turn round to ask us to pay rent or move out,” the staff fumed.
However, Dr Innocent Ezuma, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eta-Zuma Group (West Africa) Ltd., dismissed the allegations.
“We are trying to get the mill working again with our own independent power plant, which is on the way: once completed, we shall kick start without further delay, ” the chairman disclosed. (NAN)
I have just been ejected and humiliated by the same man,despite having an appointment letter. My family was thrown out. And the excuses about starting the place is all lies.