Govs line behind Dangote, approve sale of national assets

State governors have approved the sale of national assets as proposed by the economic management team to steer the nation out of economic recession.

The idea of sale of the national assets was publicly first muted by billionaire Aliko Dangote, followed by Senate President Bukola Saraki but has been condemned by many Nigerians, including organized labour.

But the governors declared their support for the idea on Thursday while briefing reporters at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting‎ which was ‎presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The NEC comprises of all 36 states governors, governor of Central Bank and function as an advisory body.

Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi State, who disclosed the position of the governors said “The management team informed NEC that it was working on plans to generate immediate larger injection of fund into the economy through: ‎asset sales, advanced payment of license renewals, infrastructure concession, use of recovered funds to reduce funding gaps.

“The team also spoke on implementation of fiscal stimulus/budget priorities, fast-tracking procedures through legislation and implementation of strategic, implementation plan (SIP) of the budget, meaningful diversification of the economy and cutting down on importation.

“Council members in response commended the economic management team and generally welcomed the presentation and expressed support for the plan to steer the nation out of recession.”

Meanwhile, many Nigerian senators also on Thursday opposed their President, Saraki and others calling for the sale of national assets. Several of them vehemently kicked against the call when the Senate debated on the country’s recession.

Read also: NLC: Cannibals and Buccaneers out to hijack our economy

While they blamed the elite, including some lawmakers, for the economic problems of the nation with some calling for the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism as the solution, others called for a review of some fiscal policies, including the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Na’Allah, who led the debate called on the government to reconsider its policy on TSA and its policy on domiciliary accounts.

Another senator, Andy Ubah criticised the call for sale of national assets, describing it as wrong. He argued that “if we sell our assets now to recover from this recession, what would we sell in the future if we ever slipped into another recession? We must seek an alternative way of recovering from this recession but sale of our assets is not the way out.”

The Majority Whip, Olusola Adeyeye, insisted that the nation must be restructured along the line of true federalism.

Both Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have all decried the call for the sale of national assets and described those in favour of it as enemies who want to hijack the country’s economy.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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