The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has appealed to the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) to suspend its ongoing industrial action and return to the negotiating table.
Audu, through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, made the call on Wednesday, saying continued industrial action could undermine harmony and stability in the nation’s steel sector.
The minister said the Federal Government was not ignoring the grievances raised by the scrap dealers, assuring them that the issues were receiving attention.
NASWDEN had formally presented its concerns to the Ministry of Steel Development through the National Steel Council.
Among the issues raised by the association are alleged undervaluation of scrap metals, weight reductions allegedly caused by manipulation of weighing scales, and the involvement of steel-producing companies in direct scrap-metal trading.
The association also protested the importation of billets and other practices it believes are limiting the participation of local scrap dealers in the steel value chain.
The ministry, however, said it was consulting with the National Steel Council to find practical and sustainable solutions to the issues.
Audu has consequently directed the Permanent Secretary, working with the Executive Secretary of the National Steel Council, to invite the leadership of NASWDEN for further talks and mediation.
The meeting is expected to address the association’s grievances as well as examine their impact on steel manufacturers and other operators in the industry.
The minister also called on steel-producing companies and other stakeholders to play their part in resolving the dispute, urging all parties to embrace dialogue and act in good faith.
Audu said the development of Nigeria’s steel industry remained a collective responsibility, warning that individual interests should not derail the broader national objective of building a viable domestic steel industry.
He urged stakeholders to support the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration towards repositioning the steel sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the Federal Government is committed to creating an environment that will attract investment, increase domestic steel production, boost local participation and promote sustainable growth across the industry.
The minister said the cooperation of all stakeholders was essential to achieving the government’s target of 10 million metric tonnes of annual steel production by 2030.
He added that achieving the target would strengthen local value addition, create employment opportunities and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported steel products.
Audu therefore appealed to NASWDEN to “sheathe its sword”, suspend the industrial action and resume negotiations with the government.
He assured the association that the Ministry of Steel Development was prepared to facilitate constructive engagement aimed at resolving the grievances.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a fair, stable and conducive operating environment for legitimate operators in the steel sector and promised continued engagement with stakeholders to secure the sustainable development of the industry.
