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17 November, 1999The International Metalworkers' Federation strongly urges the Nigerian government to rehabilitate steel companies which are potentially profitable and could empower Nigeria in the drive towards indigenous industrialisation.
NIGERIA: The IMF has written to the Nigerian government to express its growing concern with regard to the dire situation of workers in the steel industry, who have not received their wages over a prolonged period of time. As a result, these workers are suffering from poverty-related deaths, eviction from their homes, withdrawal of children from schools, hunger, disease, etc.
Back in the 1970s, the government embarked on a massive steel development programme as part of a general programme for the country to expand their capacity for industrial development and accumulation of technology. Although the government awarded contracts and completed plants, mainly steel-rolling plants with a capacity to produce intermediate steel products, these companies were never endowed with working capital to buy raw materials, refurbish or expand. Government appropriations which were being released then were stopped with the arrival of adjustment policies. In 1993, the government listed these companies for privatisation but never took the necessary steps to privatise or rehabilitate them.
The International Metalworkers' Federation has strongly urged the government to rehabilitate these companies, since they are potentially profitable and could also empower Nigeria in the drive towards indigenous industrialisation.
Back in the 1970s, the government embarked on a massive steel development programme as part of a general programme for the country to expand their capacity for industrial development and accumulation of technology. Although the government awarded contracts and completed plants, mainly steel-rolling plants with a capacity to produce intermediate steel products, these companies were never endowed with working capital to buy raw materials, refurbish or expand. Government appropriations which were being released then were stopped with the arrival of adjustment policies. In 1993, the government listed these companies for privatisation but never took the necessary steps to privatise or rehabilitate them.
The International Metalworkers' Federation has strongly urged the government to rehabilitate these companies, since they are potentially profitable and could also empower Nigeria in the drive towards indigenous industrialisation.