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Privatisation: Obasanjo decries waning
interest of Ndigbo
NKIRU OKEKE,
Enugu
PRESIDENT
Olusegun Obasanjo is worried over reports of apparent lack of interest by
Ndigbo in the privatisa-tion programme.
President Obasanjo spoke yesterday at the
South-East zonal consultative forum on privatisation, held at Nike Lake Hotel,
Enugu.
The event attracted Igbo heavyweights
including former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
In a goodwill message read out by his
Special Assistant on Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Rev. Sunday Onuoha,
President Obasanjo lamented that the South-East which was noted for
entrepreneurship, inventiveness and commercial ingenuity, was regrettably
trailing behind other zones in the country in the privatisation programme.
"While it gladdens my heart that Nigerians
have embraced the cardinal objectives of government in instituting policy
changes as well as structural and institutional reforms, it has been my honest
hope and desire to ensure the total mobilisation of all Nigerians for effective
participation in the implementation process," he said.
"This forum is a clear indication of our
determination to encourage and elicit your support and persuade you to buy into
the reform agenda through active participation in the privatisation programme,"
Obasanjo added.
The President urged participants to
contribute meaningfully to the deliberations, and also assist government in
identifying all the constraints which had hindered the full involvement and
participation of the South East in the privatisation programme.
In his address, President General of Apex
Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, Prof. Joe Irukwu (SAN) said
the forum would sensitise the zone on the importance of active participation in
the privatisation programme.
Prof. Irukwu, who was also the chairman of
the event’s morning session, noted that it was unfortunate that the South-East
has not taken adequate steps to benefit from the proceeds of the privatisation.
"If this workshop was held earlier, maybe
people would have responded to the privatisation exercise.
Ohanaeze is
determined to make sure that the interest of every Igbo man is protected," he
said.
Minister for Information and National
Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu on his part, noted that "the public
enterprises were huge drain pipes on the country’s economy," and justified
privatisation as a veritable option to resuscitate them.
Chikelu, who was represented by Dr. Okey
Ikechukwu, said government embarked on privatisation as the only available means
to revive, re-energize and reinvigorate the economy.
"No nation can attain and sustain
meaningful development under the scourge of corruption. Our public enterprises
are known for poor performance because of hydra-headed monster called
corruption.
"To curb corruption in public enterprises,
the best way is to transfer our public enterprises to the private sector for
better management and efficient utilisation of resources," he said.
President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce,
Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Gabriel Akachukwu, who also
spoke, called on the South-East state government to buy shares and bond on
behalf of their people.
Said he: "I am aware that some of the
state governments in other parts of the country have done such for her people.
Investment in shares of companies are worthwhile ventures."
Those who attended the event were business
mogul and member, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; former Health Minister, Dr. Tim Menakaya, eminent jurist,
Justice Chukwudifu Oputa; former Health Minister, Prof. Alphonsus B. Nwosu; Obi
of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; Chairman of South-East Traditional Rulers
Council, Eze Ezo Ukandu.
Acting Governor of Enugu State, Chief
Okechukwu Itanyi was also there while Anambra State Gov. Chris Ngige,
represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. K.A. Arinze, also
attended.
Others are immediate past
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Justice Eze Ozobu; Governor Orji
Uzor Kalu of Abia, secretary to the state government, Prof. Chibuzor Ogbuagu;
secretary to Anambra State Government, Chief Alex Chukwurah.
In his welcome address earlier on, Acting
Governor of Enugu State, Chief Itanyi, had advised Ndigbo not to
marginalise themselves, adding that they should participate in the sharing of
the "national cake."
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