The Federal Government reiterates its commitment to industrial peace for the development of the Mines and Steel sector.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development,  Mrs. Diezani Alison – Madueke made the remark at a meeting she summoned in Abuja to resolve the labour crisis between the pensioners and management of Delta Steel Company.

The Minister said that Nigerians cannot afford to entertain any distraction from any quarters in form of labour unrest that would disturb the implementation of the 7 – Point Agenda of President Umaru Musa Yar Adua which aimed at moving Nigeria forward.

It could be recalled that there was an agreement between the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Delta Steel Company for the payment of pension liabilities to pensioners of Delta Steel Company, in which the agreement had not been met.

The Minister reiterated that it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to ensure a harmonious relationship existed between the workers and the management of Delta Steel Company for the development of the Steel Sector.

She said “As a Minister, I feel it is my responsibility to try and bring this issue to a happy conclusion, At least one that will not ultimately negatively affect the pensioners or the Delta Steel Company”.

The Minister disclosed that a letter written by the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises through the management of Delta Steel clearly outlined that the payment of N1.5 billion approved by National Council on Privatization would not be the final payment.

She assured the pensioners that the federal government would do everything in its power to release funds from the Non-Core Assets of Delta Steel Company so as to make further payment.

She therefore urged the pensioners to maintain peace and orderliness so as to resolve the crisis amicably, stressing that; the Non-Core Assets would be valued and disposed off for further payment to be made.

In her words “I have come into the matter to try and show that it is resolved amicably and I will therefore ask that the pensioners on their own side, step back, stop the current situation from   escalating any further and give us the time to do what we are trying to do. I can assure that if you are able to do that, we will also in turn, ensure that over a period of time, the non – core assets are valued, disposed off and further payment will be made, and we will keep you fully briefed as we go along in terms of valuation and disposal of non-core assets and the time-line within which, we will begin to make those payment”.

Meanwhile, a committee has been set up to put together the structure and the framework with which the valuation, disposal of non-core Assets and the time- line for payment would be made.