SEWUN, AUTOBATE Hail Gov. Bala Mohammed as 199 Steyr Workers Receive ₦600m Salary,Benefits Arrears

From Umar Usman Duguri and Paul Orude, Bauchi

The Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) and Automobile Boatyards Transport Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (AUTOBATE) have commended Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, for approving the payment of ₦600 million in backlog salaries, terminal and death benefits owed to staff of Steyr Nigeria Limited.

The appreciation was conveyed on behalf of the workers by Comrade Sani Garba, Chairman of Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria, alongside Comrade Okere Emmanuel, Chairman of the Automobile sector.

According to the union leaders, the payment, which covered outstanding salary arrears for 199 affected staff, has restored hope and renewed confidence among workers of the once-moribund company.

They explained that workers of the company had endured over 13 years of hardship without meaningful progress until the intervention of Governor Mohammed, who stepped in shortly after the Bank of Industry formally handed over the company to the Bauchi State Government for management following its revival.

At the time of the handover, the governor had pledged to clear the outstanding salary arrears, a promise the workers say has now been fully fulfilled.

The union leaders praised the governor’s commitment to reviving the once-thriving company and described his actions as a clear demonstration of sincerity and political will.

They also lauded his assurance that existing staff would be given priority for effective service delivery before any fresh recruitment, noting that it reflects respect for experience, loyalty, and hard work.

According to the workers, Governor Mohammed’s determination to attract credible investors to resuscitate the moribund company would ultimately yield positive results.

They pledged their readiness to align with the state’s economic blueprint to boost productivity and economic activities, while also thanking the governor for opening the door to foreign investors.

It will be recalled that shortly after the handover, Governor Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to revive Steyr Nigeria Limited and reposition it as a hub for manufacturing and job creation in Nigeria.

Governor Mohammed expressed gratitude to God for the progress made so far and acknowledged the support of the BOI, its Board, and the Federal Government for prioritizing economic development over profit.

The governor recalled that the company once played a significant role in Nigeria’s industrial prosperity but collapsed due to years of mismanagement and neglect.

He lamented that the abandoned facility had become a haven for criminal and immoral activities, while commending the BOI and the court-appointed receiver for resisting attempts to sell off the land and structures to speculators.

Governor Mohammed disclosed that the Bauchi State Government paid ₦1.5 billion, the book value of the facility to secure full ownership, adding that 100 per cent of all entitlements owed to the BOI had been cleared.

He unveiled plans to transform the facility into a multi-purpose industrial hub and revealed ongoing discussions with investors interested in assembling agricultural machinery, CNG buses, electric vehicles, and solar-powered tricycles (Keke NAPEP).

He emphasized that only credible investors would be allowed into the project, ruling out speculators, and assured stakeholders of transparency, stressing that no personal interests would interfere with the development process.

The buyback and revival of Steyr Nigeria Limited mark a major turning point in the Bala Mohammed administration’s drive for industrialization and economic empowerment, reviving dormant assets, restoring hope to hundreds of workers, and strengthening Bauchi State’s position as an emerging industrial hub in Nigeria.