By Lucy Ogale
Abuja Steel Company has emphasised its commitment to ethical business practices and strict adherence to industry regulations.
In a statement signed by its spokesman on Tuesday, Mr Chethan Kumar, the company therefore refuted allegations linking it to the purchase and smelting of stolen manhole covers.
Kumar described the claims as baseless and inconsistent with its operational principles.
“As a responsible, tax-paying organisation, Abuja Steel Company has no history of involvement in illegal or unethical activities.
“These allegations are unfounded and do not align with our operational principles,” Kumar said.
The company expressed its willingness to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to uncover the truth behind the theft and vandalism of public infrastructure, stating confidence that ongoing investigations would vindicate it.
“Our operations are conducted on a large-scale industrial framework, and we do not engage in small-scale negotiations or transactions with individuals or unauthorised agents.
” Claims suggesting otherwise are false and misleading,” he said.
Kumar quoted the steel company’s Director, Dr John Akanya, as saying that it is a world-class company and part of the largest steel-producing group in Nigeria.
“With our iron-ore mining and processing factory in Gujeni, Kaduna State, we are transitioning from scrap metals to direct reduced iron-ore, sourced from our sister company, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited (ANRML).”
Akanya reaffirmed Abuja Steel Company’s zero tolerance for vandalism and theft.
He said that the organisation had initiated a thorough investigation into the origin of the allegations to protect its reputation and ensure accountability.
The company urged the public and its customers to disregard the accusations, suggesting they were attempts by vested interests to tarnish its image.
“Our company remains a cornerstone of responsible industrial practices in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond and we are dedicated to Nigeria’s economic development and maintaining public trust,” he said.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Jan. 6, identified one iron smelting company as one of the alleged buyers of stolen manhole covers in Abuja.
Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
Olayinka noted that some exhibits have been recovered from the company and were in the custody of the police.
He added that further investigations were ongoing to determine the company and others’ involvement in the removal, purchase and melting of the manhole covers.
Similarly, the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territoryhsaidrrt arrested 50 suspects over theft of manhole covers in Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, said that a targetted operation by operatives of the command led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of 25 manhole covers, three vehicles and some vandalised solar street lights.
He said that investigations revealed that the suspects were operating as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers.