Nigeria: Acquisition of former Jos Steel Rolling Mills is genuine – Dr. Innocent Ezuma
Dr. Innocent Ezuma, the Executive Director of Zuma Steel Company, a co-buyer of the Jos Steel Rolling Mills has cleared the air of various allegations leveled against him on his business acquisition of Jos Steel Rolling Mills. In this exclusive interview with the Nigerianvoice.com in his office in Abuja Nigeria, he disclosed that the whole report about his purchase of the company being a scam or fraud is pure blackmail from certain quotas of people who are trying to distract him from what he has come to do in Nigeria. He is however resolved and more determined to ensure that the Jos Steel Rolling Mills company will soon commence full operation and bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of people from within Jos and across the country that has made a living from the company.
Dr. Ezuma made it clear that the company was liquidated and he acquired it with his partners after following proper bidding procedures according to the laws of the country so he has not bridge any law and his interest in the business is legitimate. Therefore he is not worried of the outcome of the court case on the ownership of the company. He would not speak further on the matter because it is already before the court of law.
Dr. Ezuma informed the Nigerianvoice.com that he has invested millions of naira in the company with the appropriate authorities aware of his investment and he has not short changed any person in some of the internet negative reports on his person.
He also denied the rumour being peddled that he locked out his Ukrainian partners, rather there was an effort to side changed him in the deal but the contract according to Dr. Ezuma is very clear and he could not be bought out of the deal because he brought the investors in the first place into the country to join hands with him to revival this ailing company.
Dr. Ezuma disclosed also that the other partners were not encouraged on the state of the company since there was no energy supply to the plant station in Jos; the partners wanted the Steel Mill company moved to Lagos because of its closeness to the city port and other invested interests. Dr. Innocent Ezuma was against the move to Lagos as people of Jos are physiological attached to the Steel Rolling Mail in their city. Any attempt to move it elsewhere would bring a break down of law and order in the state and he was not going to be party to that.
Dr. Innocent Ezuma during the interview denied any link or assumption that he threatened his foreign partners; it is just cheap blackmail and unfortunately some media organization because of access to the internet has played on it. None of my partner's life was threatened rather Dr. Ezuma said three times already they have made attempt on his life both at home and abroad; but God saved him through it all. “An innocent man is protected of the Lord”, he says just confirming his name, Innocent.
Dr. Ezuma, however clarified the assumption being circulated in the media that he only bought the assets of the mills and not the entire company. In fact he laughed on the assumption as he explained, “I bought the entire assets of the liquidated company 100% which allows me the full right to do whatever I wish with the company including changing the name or retaining it”. “I changed the name to ZUMA Still Mills Jos”, he disclosed. He said that after he has acquired the company; the BPE officials brought some people, who claimed to be staff of the bureau, to inspect the steel company without his permission, my staff called me when I was away on a business trip that they forcefully gained entrance to the premises without my permission; my security operatives rebuff them and secure the premises back”. What have I done wrong in wading off invaders on my premises? he asked
Dr. Ezuma does not want to disclose further information on this subject as the matter is already in court but he was full of confidence that he would take control of ownership and start work on the Steel Mills within the shortest period of time.
He spoke more on other projects he is embarking upon in an exclusive interview for our sister publication, The Voice magazine (www.thevoicenewsmagazine.com)
He called on the court to ensure a peaceful resolution of the matter to allow the company resume operation shiftily.
Interview by Pastor Elvis Iruh