By ISAAC ANUMIHE, ABUJA

Nigeria’s airports which have been under renovation under the current administration, may soon fall under the auctioneer’s gavel in line with the Federal Government reform programme.

Speaking at the 9th Abuja International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCIMA), yesterday, the Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, said they were in the process of engaging experts to design an appropriate framework for the concession of the enterprise after which the Ministry of Aviation and the bureau would begin the process of their concession.

Other enterprises stated for sale this year include residential houses/lands of Nigeria Coal Corporation (NCC), Naraguta and Maiduguri Bricks, non-core assets of Makeri and Mineral Houses, residential houses/vacant lands and Ogwashi-Azagba Coal Block.

Other prospective transactions are the sale of NMC Joint Venture and Associated Companies, sale of Owupa Coal Block, sale of core assets of Nigeria Coal Corporation (NCC) in Inyi, Amansiodo, Okpara and Onyema Coal Blocks; core assets of Nigeria Coal Blocks; resolving issues involving the coal to power contracts, conclusion of arbitration with GINL and developing strategies for the privatisation of Ajaokuta Steel Company and NIOMCO among others.

“The bureau was also tasked with carrying out the reform of the housing sector, concession of stadia and the National Parks, privatisation of Abuja Stock and Commodity Exchange (ASCE), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). The concept paper for sports reform and concession of stadia has been sent to the National Sports Commission (NSC) for inputs and the response is being awaited. For the National Parks, the work of the Steering Committee is ongoing and the Project Advisory Team (PAT) is compiling its final report for submission to the Steering Committee. The PAT has already compiled recommendations on the legal and regulatory framework for the sector and will soon present same,” he said. Equally, he said the NCP has also approved the reform of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) during the year.

“The restructuring plan for the FHA has been submitted to the technical board for review, while the recommendations for the policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for the housing sector are being finalised for the consideration of the board and NCP,” he added.

The BPE boss gave the indication of harnessing the potentials in football and sports through privatisation just as Britain, Spain and Germany are doing. “Why has Nigeria not exploited this area?” he querried.

According to him, in the same year under review, NCP approved the appointment of a liquidator for the guided liquidation of NITEL/MTEL pending court confirmation.

“The process is continuing and the prospective bidders are currently conducting data room due diligence on the assets of NITEL and MTEL. Prior to the data room exercise, a pre-bidders’ conference was held to adequately brief and provide the bidders with all necessary documentation for the exercise,” he said.


Source: Sun