The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, has reacted to the ‘vote of no confidence’ passed on him by the House of Representatives.
DAILY POST reported that the House of Representative unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the Minister of State, Mr. Abubakar Bawa-Bwari following absence of both ministers at a sectoral debate on the steel sector scheduled for today to find solutions to the troubled Ajaokuta Steel Plant. pass-vote-no-confidence-fayemi/ Fayemi, In a statement by his aide Olayinka Oyebode, described the decision as “unwarranted and unfortunate.”
According to him, the inability of the two ministers to attend the debate was duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters.
The statement read in part, ”While the offices of the two ministers have been inundated with countless media enquiries regarding their absence shortly after the pronouncement, it is important to state unequivocally that the inability of the two ministers to attend the debate was duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters.
”One then wonders why the House members took such a draconian stance against the two Ministers who have very cordial relationships with the National Assembly.
It is rather unfair for the House members to categorise the Ministers absence as “boycott”, when they were adequately notified. ”Tolerance and moderation are essential ingredients in public service engagement. In this particular case, they appear to be in short supply and the ministry believes that there is more than meets the eye on this matter.
”After all, the Ministers are always willing to engage the honourable House and its leadership at all times. It is on record that Minister Fayemi was the first Minister to address the sectoral debate in 2016 and the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was extensively addressed on that occasion.
”Subsequently, the House Committees on Privatisation and Public Petitions held special sessions on Ajaokuta and the Minister of State, Hon Bawa Bwari addressed the members on those two occasions.
”Given this past record, today’s action is most unwarranted and unfortunate.”
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