‘Better late than never’ says Atiku as he backs privatisation of refineries, other assets

FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the decision of the Federal Government to privatise some of its assets.

The assets include the country’s refineries, the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Zungeru Hydro Power, Tafawa Belewa Square, among others.

According to the Federal Government, a total of N493.4b N493.4b is expected to be earned from the the sale of the assets.

For easy conduct of the process the government has classified the national assets to be put up for sale into four categories namely: energy assets, industries and communication department, as well as development institutions and natural resources.

But reacting to the move by government, in a statement titled, ‘Privatisation of Refineries and Other Assets: Better Late Than Never,’ Atiku, who was the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation during the tenure of former President  Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007), demands transparency in the privatisation process.

The candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in 2019 general election said he was delighted that the privatisation of public assets which he once championed  is now being embraced by the All Progressives Congress.

He said this against the background of the derision that greeted his disclosure in the buildup to the 2019 election that he would privatise national assets, particularly the refineries, if elected the president.

The ruling party had faulted Atiku’s “projected  policy” and even gained political mileage from it by using it against him in the party’s electioneering.

Atiku, however, said he felt “fulfilled” that “an administration that once failed to see the wisdom in these sound economic policies, is now facing reality.”

He said, “For decades, I have championed the privatisation of our economy and full deregulation of our oil and gas sector, amongst other sectors, for greater service delivery and efficiency.

“As chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, I advanced these policies which saw our economy achieve 6% GDP growth and created jobs for the masses of our people and amass the national wealth that enabled us exit the debt trap, and secure our financial independence.

“Even though my ideas were scorned by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government over the years, I am nevertheless most fulfilled that an administration that once failed to see the wisdom in these sound economic policies, is now facing reality and has now embraced reason, by announcing the privatisation of our refineries and other assets, which have not always prospered under public management.

“It is always better late than never. And I commend the Federal Government for coming on board. I urge that the privatisation process be as transparent as possible, as that is the only way to ensure that Nigeria reaps the greatest economic benefits from this policy.

“It was never about me. My interest has always been the peace, prosperity and progress of Nigeria, and I am happy to share these ideas, and others, with the government of the day, for the betterment of our nation and its people.”