The Kogi state government has announced that it is considering selling off some assets to raise money for infrastructure in the state.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information and communication who made the announcement on Wednesday July 15, said they are considering ceding businesses such as hotels and transportation to the private sector to focus on creating enabling environment for businesses to flourish.
The statement read;
“The government is evolving a policy to systematically ease herself out of business ventures that are not critical needs of the people and which could be better managed by the private sector.
“The present administration is working on a plan to concentrate on infrastructural development and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
“Over the years, certain businesses such as Hotel Management and Transportation have been mismanaged by Government. This administration will not follow that path.
“The Economic Team of Government has been charged to come up with plan that will gradually cede the major economic play to the private sector while Government concentrates on regulating the economy and also create a conducive environment for economic prosperity.
“Businesses like Hotel Management and Transportation and others in that belt, are better managed by the private sector. Government has no more resources to waste on businesses rendering services that are better rendered by private concerns.”
“We need to reorder our priorities and look into how we can complete our ongoing projects as well as initiate new impact ones.
“We are looking at the assets of the State. There are some assets that Government kept spending huge sums to maintain and they are not bringing any income to the State.
“Economically, the world is going through a new normal and smart states like ours will have to cut costs and recharge our revenue generating batteries to ensure our people are served and served well.”
