From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos

House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the privatization and subsequent management of the former Jos Steel Rolling Company.

This is following allegations that the core investor, Zuma Steel West Africa Ltd, failed to meet key obligations under the privatization agreement.

The probe was triggered by a petition submitted by over 20 former employees of the company and presented before the committee by the former Public Relations Officer of the firm, Mr. Danjuma Samuel Agbo, during a hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

The former workers, who attended the inaugural hearing, urged lawmakers to intervene, alleging prolonged abandonment of the steel plant, mismanagement of its assets, non-compliance with the privatization agreement and years of neglect that have left both the facility and its workforce in distress.

According to the petitioners, more than a decade after Zuma Steel West Africa Ltd assumed control of the company, it has failed to revive operations in line with the objectives of the Federal Government’s privatization programme.

They argued that the anticipated economic revival and industrial activities expected from the privatization exercise have not materialised, claiming that the steel rolling plant has remained largely inactive over the years.

The former employees further alleged that the prolonged inactivity exposed the facility to vandalism, leading to the loss of critical infrastructure, including armoured electrical cables and other valuable equipment essential to the company’s operations.

The petition also drew the committee’s attention to an incident earlier this year in which members of the Plateau State Youth Council reportedly intercepted the movement of what they described as critical company assets allegedly being transported out of the premises to an undisclosed location.

On workers’ welfare, the petitioners accused the investor of failing to fulfil commitments contained in the privatization agreement. They claimed that many employees who were expected to be absorbed into the new management structure were left unemployed, while some of those later re-engaged allegedly suffered harassment in the course of their employment.

According to the former workers, the situation has undermined the objectives of the privatization programme and adversely affected the livelihoods of many former employees and their families.

During the hearing, the committee also received separate responses from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the agency that supervised the privatization process, and Zuma Steel West Africa Ltd, the company at the centre of the allegations.

After reviewing the submissions, committee members resolved to give the petitioners adequate time to study the responses and prepare their observations before the investigation proceeds.

The committee subsequently adjourned further hearing on the matter until July 23, 2026, when all parties are expected to reconvene for the next phase of the investigation.

The lawmakers are expected to examine the level of compliance with the privatization agreement, the current state of the company’s assets, the welfare of former employees and other issues raised in the petition before deciding whether further recommendations or legislative actions are necessary.