Concession: NIOMCO workers seek ‘fair deal’

Staff of the National Iron Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe Kogi State, have appealed to the Federal Government to ensure employees of the company enjoy a fair deal under its modified concession agreement with the Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (GINL).

The workers, who made the appeal when some journalists covering the mines and steel sector paid a visit to the company, urged the Federal Government to also give attention to issues bordering on “long overdue salaries and promotion arrears.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW), Comrade Ogbokor Newlife, who spoke on behalf of the workers, pointed out that unions of the company have not been carried along in the ongoing “due diligence process” between the Federal Government and GINL over the concession.

“The Federal Government should involve the national and local branch unions in the committee that will handle the rest of the agreement so that we can have opportunity to establish workers’ interest,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to release more funds to the present management of NIOMCO to enable it continue with the efforts aimed at addressing security challenges bedevilling the company given its porous nature.

Earlier, the Sole Administrator of NIOMCO, Mr Benard Nnagha, disclosed that he had engaged the services of 33 security guards to work alongside other security agents to improve on security in the company since he came on board.