The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mohammed Bello says 17 years after privatisation most Nigerian government’s assets are yet to be sold.
Bello stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Nigerian Government Abandoned Properties in the FCT.
He said that his Ministry would make available necessary documents to assist the Panel in achieving its legislative mandate.
” All the relevant agencies of the FCTA have been directed to provide access to all documents, particularly taking into account that the policy on the sale of government assets, particularly residential houses to occupants, was signed way back in 2005. In today’s hearing, I want to assure you that you have the full support of the FCTA,” Bello said.
He said that the beauty of government assets is that they do not disappear, they can be seen, touch and felt .
While declaring the sitting open, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Rep. Henry Nwawuba says the House would help identify Nigerian Government’s assets across the nation and take legislative action ensuring they are adequately put into good use for positive benefits.
He noted that across the country, several properties belonging to the Government of Nigeria have been abandoned, and others severely underutilised for many years.
“The Nigerian Government possesses a large stock of abandoned properties that could become viable assets for the benefit of the Nigerian people if managed properly.
The House of Representatives has since resolved to help identify these assets and take legislative action to help ensure they are either put to good use or transferred to provide income for the Government.
“The Ad-hoc Committee to investigate abandoned government properties across the federation has convened today’s investigative hearing to focus on such abandoned property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”. Gbajabiamila said.
The Speaker also said that the Committee has the mandate of the 9th House of Representatives to account for these investments and come up with a plan to put these assets to good use in the interest of all our citizens.
He said; “To achieve this mandate, this Committee requires the assistance of stakeholders and citizens to provide information, context, and expertise.
“These hearings can take on an adversarial tint that often is not in the best interests of the country. I have the confidence of the Chairman to assure you that the only objective of this Committee is to do what is necessary to transform these moribund assets into beneficial ventures for the people and government of Nigeria.
This objective is one that is best achieved through cooperation, collaboration and partnership, and informed knowledge of these assets, their conditions, and the most suitable options for utilisation. Therefore, it is important that all who have a role to play in these hearings do so with decorum, dignity, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes.”
The Chairman of the sub-Committee on Nigerian Government Abandoned Properties in the FCT, Gaza Gbefwi, said that the existence of abandoned government property, valued in the hundreds of billions, left to deteriorate should trouble all our consciences.
Gbefwi said; ” These projects are a visual manifestation of the excesses and failure to plan effectively and execute efficiently that has hampered our national growth and development for many years.
“In seeking to account for these assets, the House of Representatives, through this Ad-Hoc Committee is simply trying to rewrite past wrongs. This is particularly important at this time when our nation is pressed by serious financial difficulties and in dire need of creative thinking and out-of-the-box approaches to financial management and the operation of public accounts and resources.”
He said that “the investigative hearing would focus on abandoned Nigerian Government of Nigeria property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
As legislators, stakeholders, and public policymakers we must make sure the recommendations we make consider all the prevailing circumstances and reflect the well-thought-out contemplation of objective realities and alternatives.
“To be effective in this regard, we must work together in partnership for the common good.”
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Adebaya Fagbemi, said that the assets of the company were in all the local government areas of Nigeria.
He said that the company would give the committee all the support needed to succeed.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
