A report by News Telegraph
suggests the federal government of Nigeria has concluded plans to sell
the nation’s critical assets in order to raise $15 billion to rescue the
country out of economic recession.
Sen. Udo Udoma:
The
report quoted the minister of budget and national planning, Senator
Udoma Udo Udoma, confirming the plan at a cabinet retreat hosted at the
presidential villa, Abuja.
The federal government has been under
pressure for a while to sell of some its assets to raise money to tackle
Nigeria’s financial crisis.
Alhaji Dangote:
Three
days ago, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, joined the calls
as he advised the government to embark on a wave of asset selling to
boost Nigeria’s recession-hit economy.
This past weekend, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, joined in the calls.
His
words: “In the short run, we can sell assets. Before the government
came on board, I had opined that there was need for the government to
scale down or sell off some of its investments in oil and gas,
particularly in the NNPC and NLNG as at that time when the price of oil
was around $50-$55 per barrel.
“We actually commissioned some
consultants that conducted the study and, at the end of that study, we
were told that if we sold 10% to 15% of our holding in the oil and gas
sector, we could realise up to $40 billion.”
Sen. Bukola Saraki:
Yesterday,
September 20, Senate president Bukola Saraki, at the resumption of the
red chamber’s plenary, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sell some
important national assets as part of efforts to boost the country’s
dwindling foreign reserves.
Senate President Bukola urged President Buhari to go ahead and sell the assets
His
words: “The executive must raise capital from asset sales and other
sources to shore up foreign reserves. This will calm investors,
discourage currency speculation and stabilise the economy.
“The
measures should include part sale of NLNG Holdings; reduction of
government’s share in upstream oil joint venture operations; sale of
government stake in financial institutions e.g. Africa Finance
Corporation; and the privatization and concession of major/regional
airports and refineries.”
NAIJ.com lists 6 key assets that are being considered for sale.
Read below:
1. Government shares in Joint Venture Companies (JVCs)
2. Government shares in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG)
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