The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said he might no longer honour any invitation by the House of Representatives following a no confidence vote passed on him and the junior minister in the ministry, Bawa Bwari.
The House had passed the no confidence vote after the minister failed to honour an invitation to appear before it to clarify issues on Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the general steel sector.
Speaking with journalists in a press conference on the matter in his office in Abuja on Friday, Fayemi condemned the no-confidence vote.
He said his ministry had always cooperated with the National Assembly, wondering the rationale behind the vote.
The former Ekiti Governor further described the vote as unbecoming, unwarranted and unfounded.
He said, “Now that the House has said it has no confidence in me and officials of the ministry; I may not honour summon or invitation by the House on the matter.”
However, he revealed that the ministry had yet to receive official communication of the no confidence vote from the House.
“We haven’t even been communicated what the whole thing is all about, except what we saw or read in the media. But when they communicate us officially, we will know how to respond,” he said.
Addressing the media on goings-on in Ajaokuta Steel, the minister disclosed that the technical audit report on the steel company will be ready in six weeks.
He stressed that the report will determine next step to be taken regarding the concessioning of the company, as it will be used for technical bids.
Fayemi noted that he was doing his best to revitalise the steel sector and would not allow his reputation to be damaged.
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