The Bauchi government says its decision to privatise six state-owned moribund industries will be in the people’s best interest, revealing that Governor Bala Mohammed would privatise more companies belonging to the state.

Mr Ibrahim Kashim, secretary to the state government (SSG), stated this at a news conference in Bauchi on Saturday.

Mr Kashim was reacting to criticism by the All Progressives Congress (APC), asking the Bauchi government to shelve the proposed leasing of the companies or face legal action.

The government on Tuesday announced the leasing of Zaranda Hotel and Wikki Hotel at N1.2 billion and N200 million, respectively, for 25 years. The government planned to lease Bauchi Fertiliser and Blending Plant at N400 million, Bauchi Meat Factory at N301 million, Bauchi Furniture Company at N150 million and Galambi Cattle Ranch at N150 million.

However, the APC chairman in Bauchi, Babayo Aliyu, said kicked against Governor Bala Mohammed’s move to lease the state-owned entities, giving his administration a two-week ultimatum to rescind its decision or face legal action.

However, Mr Ibrahim said the leasing of the companies was part of a pragmatic approach by Mr Mohammed’s administration to resuscitate the moribund companies to resume operations. He said the Bauchi government planned to privatise more government-owned entities.

“Yankari Game Reserve is one of those industries. Yankari is definitely one of the areas of concern. We are keen about Yankari because Bauchi state is supposed to be a ‘Pearl of Tourism’, and we want to maximise our capacity,” Mr Ibrahim explained. 

(NAN)