Nigeria set to concession 4 national assets to investors

*The Bureau of Public Enterprises has disclosed that all is set to concession four national assets in Nigeria in line with the Federal Government’s plan to raise N205.15 billion as privatisation proceeds to fund Budget 2021

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In line with the Nigerian Government’s plan to raise N205.15 billion as privatisation proceeds through the sale of national assets to fund 2021 Budget, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has indicated that all is set to concession four national assets in the country.

The BPE in a statement at the weekend said that it would hold an International Investors’ webinar Tuesday next week in order to showcase investment opportunities in the four enterprises slated for concession.

The listed facilities are Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC), Calabar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Kano Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The one-day event would provide a platform for prospective investors to leverage on the vast opportunities in the aforementioned enterprises in line with international best practices, according to the Bureau.

Earlier, the Federal Government said it had linked Apapa Port with the new Standard gauge railway line describing it as a major milestone in this regard.

The BPE noted that the proposed International Investors’ webinar is in line with its new mandate as contained in a new Federal Government circular, which gives the Bureau the responsibility to concession public enterprises and infrastructure already listed in the first and second schedules of the public enterprises Act.

The BPE explained it is expected to act on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria as the counterparty on all infrastructure projects being developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

The Federal Government had said it was going to raise N205.15 billion as privatisation proceeds through the sale of national assets to fund its 2021 budget.

The Bureau also stated the auctioning will be done via a virtual gathering that is expected to attract foreign embassies, high commissions, trade missions, multilateral and bilateral commissions, identified investors, ministries, state governors, government agencies and the Presidency.

Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, is expected to give the keynote address on the occasion.

Meanwhile the federal government said it has linked Apapa port with the new Standard gauge railway line.

Engr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the corporation, who stated this recently in Katsina on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony to flag off the Kano to Maradi standard gauge railway line, said connecting the Apapa port by rail was a major milestone.

According to him, about 60 trucks per day will be removed from the roads after the inauguration of the project this year.

Okhiria said pending the commencement of work on the Ibadan to Kano corridor of the standard gauge railway line, imported goods would be carried to the Inland Container Depot at Ibadan for onward transfer to other parts of the country by road.

If about 60 trucks are removed from the roads, it will lessen the burden on roads, noted Engr. Okhiria.