Stop to privatization of national assets now - Rep warns ...accuse FG of impunity

The face-off between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government escalatedon Thursday as the House of Representatives accused the Muhammadu Buhari administration of engaging in “executive lawlessness and impunity” and ordered the Federal Executive Council to stop all concessions and privatization of national assets not approved by the National Council of Privatization (NCP).

The House specifically condemned the lack of due process by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and violation of laws passed by parliament in approving the concessions and privatization of assets and directed its committees to investigate the matter and make recommendations to the House within two weeks.

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The assets cited by the lawmakers include the engagement of Agip for the rehabilitation and operation of the Warri Refinery; concession of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) narrow gauge lines to G.E of USA; and the Federal Ministry of Aviation’s processes for the concession of four international airports, i.e Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,  Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport.

The decision of the House followed a motion sponsored by Mr. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue) during plenary on Thursday.

Leading the debate, Gbillah argued that “despite the resolution of the House, the Federal Executive Council has without the NCP and BPE or compliance with due process, continued to make decisions on Privatization and Commercialization of public enterprises.

“That in the absence of a formally constituted and inaugurated National Council of Privatization, the Federal Executive Council in violation of the provisions of Section II of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act 1999 approved the concession of the Nigerian Railway Corporation narrow gauge lines to G.E of  United States of America and also the concession of four National Airports, namely: NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International, Airport, Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International, Airport, Kano and the Port Harcourt International Airport”

The lawmaker further argued that the non-adherence to provisions of the Acts of Parliament by the Federal Executive Council is “tantamount to executive lawlessness and impunity and the continued approvals for the concession of public enterprises in violation of section II of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act 1999 if not checked, will result in loss of investors’ confidence in the Federal Government’s privatization programme and encourage corruption and lack of transparency.”

Gbillah also disclosed that the Executive had continued with some of the concessions despite contrary directives from the House, stressing that “the House Committee on Privatization and Commercialization of the 8th Assembly investigated the attempt by the NNPC to engage investors to rehabilitate the three NNPC Refineries situated at Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt without the involvement of the Bureau of Public Enterprise or approval of the National Council of Privatization in violation of the provisions of the Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act 1999 and directed that the process be halted until the formal constitution and inauguration of the NCP for due process to be followed.”

Supporting the motion, Lego ldagbo (PDP Cross River) stated “National Council of Privatization is the only body saddled with the responsibility; the Federal Executive Council has no power to usurp the power of the National Council on Privatization. We need to call the Executives to order”

The House unanimously adopted the prayers of the motion.