The government is proposing to sell or concession 36 of its properties to boost funds, largely to finance the 2021 budget. According to the government document, 36 properties have been categorized into five government departments. The categories are under ‘Energy’ which have nine projects, ‘Industries and Communications’ have eight projects, while the ‘Development’ institutions and ‘Natural Resources’ departments have six projects.
The Socio-Economic Rights along with the Accountability Project has written to the National Assembly. They have asked to stop the president from selling off national properties. This is an act which it said would amount to a fundamental breach of constitutional and fiduciary duties. It has instead proposed a cut within the cost of governance in areas like lawmakers’ salaries, constituency allowance, wardrobe allowance, recess allowance, and entertainment allowance – to assist generate revenue. Nigeria is yet to ascertain a recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and therefore the slump within the oil price, a commodity on which the country’s economy rests.
Data source: All Africa news