By Edward Dibiana
Former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed support for the controversial proposal for the privatisation of Nigeria’s refineries and other national assets.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has said it would sell off some government-owned properties to fund the budget and for other economic reasons.
Atiku made this revelation in a statement posted on his social media handles on Sunday, February 21, 2021, titled, “Privatisation of Refineries and Other Assets: Better Late Than Never”.
The former vice president, who was harshly criticized for making similar calls during his campaigns for 2019 presidential election, said, “For decades, I have championed the privatisation of our economy and full deregulation of our oil and gas sector, amongst other sectors, for greater service delivery and efficiency.
“As chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, I advanced these policies which saw our economy achieve 6% GDP growth and created jobs for the masses of our people, and amassed the national wealth that enabled us exit the debt trap, and secured our financial independence.
“Even though my ideas were scorned by the All Progressives Congress led Federal Government over the years, I am nevertheless most fulfilled that an administration that once failed to see the wisdom in these sound economic policies, is now facing reality and has now embraced reason, by announcing the privatisation of our refineries and other assets, which have not always prospered under public management.
“It is always better late than never. And I commend the Federal Government for coming on board. I urge that the privatisation process be as transparent as possible, as that is the only way to ensure that Nigeria reaps the greatest economic benefits from this policy.
“It was never about me. My interest has always been the peace, prosperity and progress of Nigeria, and I am happy to share these ideas, and others, with the government of the day, for the betterment of our nation and its people.”