CSOs oppose sale of NNPC, other public assets 

According to the group, since the idea of selling national assets such as NITEL , National  Fertilizer, NEPA , Steel companies and several others didn’t  favour the ordinary Nigerians and masses in the past,  there should be no reason to consider selling for now.

The group, which threatened to mobilise Nigerians if any government decides to consider selling NNPC, said it’s not only prepared to mobilise Nigerians, but also vowed to go to court to stop it.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary General of  the group, Usman Dabo, it said part of the reasons for coming together to form the group is to ensure that it  protects innocent Nigerians from being deceived or hoodwinked  to believe that Privatization of public assets is the only solution to effective production and adequate supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as Petrol.

The statement further reads : “We formed the Movement Against Privatization because cannot afford to adopt a “Siddon-Look’ approach and watch our sensitive companies that touch live of Nigerians in almost all ramifications to be out sold under any guise by selfish politicians and their cronies.

“No sensitive leader and government will consider selling  a critical national oil company ,such as NNPC limited especially, considering the monopoly of price  involved in such companies .

“We have watched  and listened to all the presidential candidates and observed that most of the Presidential candidates appeared to be talking in favour of privatisation and this we would vehemently resist.”

It however described as unfortunate , that the situation ,where the  crop of Presidential candidates are not talking about creating policies that will encourage both local and international investors to  invest in building new refineries.

Stressing  ,”This is why we crying out loud now to  anyone that will succeed  President Muhammadu Buhari to know early enough that this movement is out to resist any attempt  to auction NNPC and other public assets.

“We have put up structures across the 36 States of Nigeria , including the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja  to mobilise Civil Society Organizations, Traders , Students and other Nigerians to return the street for mother of  all protest,if there is any government that  mutes the idea sale of public assets  .”

Meanwhile, the Group which  threw its weight behind complete removal of subsidy disclosed, “We have set up a special unit to begin a process of Sensitisation with a clear message of “Don’t Sell NNPC”  in particular ,but open Windows for  individuals to invest in private refineries, so doing, there would  be opportunities to tackle the problem of perennial scarcity ; Create  employment , transfer technology , expand scope of  industrial growth and development .

“This group insist that whoever wins the elections should leave the existing refineries to operate as a government entity and create policies that will be friendly to investors” .