berated the Kogi State government over its current move to sell 10
assets belonging to the state, describing it as unwise and
unacceptable.
Miliki who is the Executive Director , Centre for Human Rights and
Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), condemned the proposed move, stating that
the monuments and common patrimony
Commercialization and privatization has been part of economic
development in Nigeria.
Abdul also queried the rationale behind this proposed sales of the
assets which according to him was built from the taxpayer's money by
the previous administrations.
"This is a government that has not built one bedroom flat in two years
despite the colossal amount it has received through bailout, parish
club, statutory allocation and monies collected on behalf of Local
governments through the Federation Account.
"Despite the biggest cement factory in West Africa is located in
Lokoja Local government of Kogi State and the natural gift of Rivers
Niger and Benue from God also located in Lokoja the state capital,
this government have not thought it wise to have a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the cement factory to enable it built several
housing units for its citizenry",he said.
He pointed out that it is worrisome that both approved 2017 and 2018
budget does not have a single naira budgeted for housing in it.
"These are assets that can bring in income and generate revenue for
the state if it has been properly rehabilitated and put to use. This
is the same government that has embarked on the renovation of
Government House that has spent billions of naira and is yet to be
completed in two years.
"We hope the same Government House will not be put up for sale to
finance the 2019 budget before the end of the present administration.
What will happen to the revenue house built by the current
administration, will it also be put up for sale? A government that is
not building houses is ready to sell the one inherited. This proposed
sale is one-step forward and two-step backward.
"What is the role of the State House of Assembly in this matter as the
government explained that he informed the state Assembly during budget
defense. Does it means the state assembly did not ask question on how
the approved budget will be finance as the 2018 budget speech of the
Governor Alh. Yahaya Bello presented to the State House of Assembly on
the 21st of December 2017 did not contain the sale of Kogi Assets to
finance budget
"When and where was this decision taken to dispose up Kogi assets to
finance budget. We reject this proposal in entirety and called on the
citizens of Kogi across the world not to key or accept this proposal
to put our common patrimony on sale.",he stressed.
The proposed properties/assets to be disposed off as disclosed by the
Kogi State Government include the Commissioner quarters in Lokoja,
Confluence Beach Hotel, Kogi Hotel, Kogi State Liaison Office Ikeja
Lagos, Kogi State Liaison Office, GRA Kaduna, Lokoja International
Market, 12-Storyed building Abuja, and Olympic Confluence stadium.
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