Presidency denies planning to sell national assets

chika ebuzor

October 1, 2016 8:58 AM

Enang also spoke on the reported request by Buhari for emergency powers to deal with the economic challenges

Recession

The presidency has denied allegations that it is planning to sell national assets to boost the foreign reserves.

This is coming after the Nigerian Senate unanimously opposed the Federal Government alleged plan to put the assets on the market.

Speaking on the issue, the Senior Special Assistant to the President Buhari on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, said “I am not aware of the details (of) where the government proposed to sell national assets and I rely on the words given by Senator Udo Udoma (Minister of Budget and National Planning) that there is no proposal (to sell the assets). I also rely on the words given by the Minister of Information (Lai Mohammed) that these are all in the realm of speculations.

“We take the Senate and the National Assembly very seriously. We don’t talk back at the institution and what the legislators say is communicated and we respect the Senate because Nigerians should also know that the lawmakers are the people who will approve what we will do.”

Also shedding more light on the reported request by Buhari for emergency powers to deal with the economic challenges, he said “If and when it is communicated (to the Senate), you will hear (about) it on the floor. So, I do not speak on communication (of the bill) unless it is read. I am only aware when it is read on the floor of the Senate and the House (of Representatives).”

The Minister of information, Lai Mohammed also described as speculations, reports that the government is planning to sell national assets.

chika ebuzor