The Vice President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has urged members of the reconstituted NCP to embark on new transactions, address the current and emerging challenges in the reform of the National Electric Power Industry (NESI) and others.
He tasked the NCP with reform activities of the Federal Government as well as resolving some of the thorny economic issues that are critical to the country’s accelerated economic development.
Osinbajo disclosed that since the inception of the NCP and its precursor (Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), “it has realised about N1 trillion in proceeds into the federal purse, arising from completed transactions and reforms that have contributed significantly to the country’s overall economic development.”
The Vice President who stated this while inaugurating the Council said that the “inauguration marks another milestone in our administration’s drive towards economic rejuvenation and liberalization as the pathway to unleashing the immense potentials of Nigeria’s economy.”
He listed the thorny economic issues which the NCP should address as the “current and emerging challenges in the reform of the National Electric Power Industry (NESI); Continuation of the Reform in the River Basin Development Authorities and National Parks sub-sector; Reform of the Transport sector; The commercialisation of enterprises in the Communications & Media sector; The pending reform bills for the keys sectors of the Nigerian economy; Robust monitoring of privatised enterprises; Embracing Public-Private Partnerships for the provision of much-needed infrastructure to fast-track our economic development; and Identification and optimisation of public assets to unlock the liquidity and economic benefits for the nation.”
While charging the members to conduct the reform programme in a transparent, sustainable, credible and widely accepted manner, the NCP chairman noted that “we are required to take appropriate steps to ensure that the interests of the various segments of our society, particularly the ordinary citizens, are protected in the implementation of the reform programme.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
- ‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’
- Why Ogun Tops List Of ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Nigeria ― Governor Abiodun
- Police, Amotekun after criminals on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- Suspected cannibal pays N500,000 for boy’s human organs, says ‘that’s my favourite meal, especially the throat’
- Court awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion over invasion of his home by military, asks FG to apologise
The Vice President further charged the members to diligently carry out the statutory responsibilities assigned to the Council as encapsulated in the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act of 1999.
He reminded the new members that the NCP is the body, statutorily mandated to determine and formulate strategic plans and approve policies on privatisation, commercialisation and reforms of the various sectors of the economy, as well as articulate a clear vision to drive the economy for the political, economic and social wellbeing of all Nigerians.
The NCP Chairman said by constituting the Council, President Muhammadu Buhari has entrusted the members with the strategic national assignment of piloting the nation’s sector reform initiatives and the privatisation and commercialisation programme on behalf of the Administration.
He added: “Your appointment as a member of the Council is a unique opportunity to utilize your well-acknowledged skills and experience to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country.
“Some of the cardinal objectives of the economic agenda of this administration are to ensure accelerated growth of the economy; provide infrastructure; create jobs and provide a suitable environment for productive activities to flourish and tap our enormous natural wealth for the benefit of our people.”
The Head, Public Communications of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ibeh Uzoma Chidi said in a statement that prior to their inauguration, the Private sector members of the NCP were briefed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Alex A. Okoh at its corporate offices in Abuja.
Apart from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is the Chairman, other statutory members of the reconstituted NCP are The Vice Chairman and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Gida Mustapha; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters; Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu.
The private sector members of the new NCP are Mr Muhammad Kabir Ahmad, Hon.Nasidi Ali, Mr. Remi Morgan and Dr. Marius Emeka Adimmadu.
The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Alex A. Okoh serves as member/ Secretary.
and then