The National Association of Scrap, Spare Parts Sellers and Craftsmen, Kaduna State Chapter, has raised the alarm over alleged shoddy deals in the sale of scraps by the management of the comatose Kaduna Textiles Limited (KTL).

State chairman of the association, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim, raised the alarm during a protest visit to the palace of the District Head of Makera and Barayan Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, in Kaduna. He appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, and the Kaduna State Government to intervene and ensure that justice is done in the matter.

According to the association chairman, “In 2008, scraps were sold, but at the end of the day under the pretext of scrap, we discovered that functional machines were moved to an unknown destination.

“This time around, we are surprised that somebody who bided for N40 million was declared highest bidder, as against N45 million bided by our association. Our quotation was conspicuously removed from the bidding file because of their personal interest. We want the world to know what is happening to us in Nigeria.”

Continuing, Alhaji Ibrahim said: “We have already briefed our lawyers to take legal measures if this move from the grassroots fails to address this discrimination against over 15,000 laid off workers of the KTL and our members who bided for the scraps.

“Just recently, KTL and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company’s scraps were sold to the same people who humiliated us in the South, neglecting our association, made up of over 25,000 members that cut across 23 local governments in the state.”

“For peace to reign, we call on the government to intervene in the sale of the scraps of KTL to our members because these are the only materials that will raise the hope of those workers who were laid off over a decade ago.”

In his response, the District Head, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, said: “We are looking at the situation from the angle of security and we shall make sure the issue is resolved without any breakdown of law and order.”

While thanking the scrap dealers for channeling its grievance the right way rather than taking the law into their hands, he promised to also brief the Emir of Zazzau on the issue.

When contacted, the Administrative Manager of KTL, Alh Aminu Mohammed, dismissed the allegations, saying that the management had earlier explained things during a meeting with the District Head.

He described the scrap dealers as “people who want to make a mischief of all situations,” adding: “These are mere proposals and we have not reached any decision or declared anybody as a winner.”

•Photo shows Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, whose intervention is being sought by Kaduna scrap dealers to prevent further fraud in the sale of KTL property.

Update news