Nigeria, Feb. 28 -- The Senate on Tuesday constituted a 10-member ad hoc committee to ascertain the reasons behind the moribund state of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) despite the alleged payment of $496 million to contractors between 2008 and now.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary announced the composition of the committee.

The resolution to set up the panel followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The committee is chaired by the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, while Suleiman Kawu, the senator for Kano South, will serve as deputy chairman.

Members of the c...