SALE OF NATIONAL ASSETS: A CRY FOR SINCERITY.

BY

Chisom, J. Suso
nairaland handle: cheesome



As one of the teeming young scholars of the 21st century and at same time a concerned citizen of the great country Nigeria, I have so eagerly followed the Draconian democracy or rather the ‘Draconian democratic touch’ which the APC have adopted more towards power consolidation than economic stability, prosperity and national unity.

The battle against corruption- one of the biggest threat (tribalism still holds its sway and swagger) to the entity Nigeria has been a theme for protagonists of the present administration to rock the boats of the common man and fill the society with hope. However, both the corrupt and the corrupted still go unpunished as the situation has degenerated into one of hysterical melodrama that lacks any true conviction.

The issue of economic recession cannot be overlooked as the damning consequences not only leave the Nigerian economy in shambles but penetrates deeper into the very homes of the common man. The issues of job loss, salary cuts, unemployment, expenditure cuts, hunger and strife have become commonplace amongst many. As one still struggles to grapple with the harsh economic reality and financial incapacitation it leaves, in a typical Nigerian fashion, another issue that has perturbed Nigerians reared its ugly head - The sale of National Assets.

The National Economic Council more recently supported the proposal by the Federal Government to sell off some National Assets of which their importance cannot be overemphasized. According to policy makers, the sale of such assets would provide the government with funds to fulfil budgetary obligations and move the economy out of recession that is, a move to save the economy.

In an article tagged “Recession” written on the 23rd of September 2016 by Samson Mikel and posted on the social media platform Facebook, the author aptly noted that the sale of national assets would boost the economic situation in Nigeria if the proceeds from sales are channelled into meaningful sectors of the economy on the basis of rationality. He also noted unequivocally that the sale of assets is to the benefit of the 'haves' as they would acquire more and the 'have nots' would be deprived more.

Also, in an article on the Business Day Newspaper on Tuesday 27th September 2016 titled “Needless controversy over Sale of National Assets” by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa the Chairman for African Centre for Business Development Strategy Innovation (ACBDSI), he noted that the government cannot sit idle and hope as Nigeria slips from recession to depression or continue to blame the past administration. He likened the situation to that of a family when he stated that “I will prefer to leave my children with little or no debts by realizing some of my assets to sort out current problems." He also emphasized that Nigeria “gained yearly national budget sums that were being wasted in running moribund and inefficient assets” from previous sales of Nigerian Airways, NITEL and PHCN.

The opinions of the former and the latter above can be seen as worlds apart both driving home salient points but that of the former, even more important. One cannot agree more that the sale of national assets would benefit the ruling class or as Professor Ofuebe would put it, the “choping elites” to the neglect of the common man. One need not be taken aback as to how the proposed asset sales is garnering support from the political elites and their cohorts.

In a conversation with a concerned citizen, Vincent Chimere, he stated that the proposed sale of national assets should be carried out in such a way that key national assets (NLNG) should be sold on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as government bonds in such a way that the common man can invest in and have a stake in their common wealth thereby, not limiting such assets to the elite class.

At a time like this when the average Nigerian can barely afford a meal a day; as commodities as basic as food are sky rocketing in terms of their prices, the demands on the part of the electorates for sincerity by the government on matters of public concern like the sale of National Assets is a no brainer and cannot be seen as a privilege but as a civic right one is entitled to.

First to comment, waiting for it to make front page.

This sale of a thing needs more attention than Buhari travels.

Sell the yorubas and the abokiis that voted for you first...before touching our assests...

Dumb dumb everywhere....

joideviv:
First to comment, waiting for it to make front page.

This sale of a thing needs more attention than Buhari travels.

I cannot agree more