By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Steven Isah has described the multiple court cases against the Benue State Government’s planned Privatization and Commercialization of Government’s owned industries and companies by individuals and groups as a clog in the wheel of the development of the state.
The Permanent Secretary who was reacting to the recent development concerning the Implementation of the present administration’s policy on Privatization while fielding questions from Day Break in Makurdi lamented that ” the court cases are a stumbling block to the development of the state”.
Mr Isah who hinted that there is political undertone behind the scene, however expressed optimism that the planned Commercialization would continue after all the court cases were disposed of.
The Permanent Secretary continued: “Benue State Government thought it wise that rather than leave these industries and companies domant, it was better to give it to other managers considering the state’s scarce resources.
” A committee was set up to handle the activity, averring that the work of this committee is being frustrated by those who do not want the state government to go ahead with the process. ” Some people have gone to court that they don’t want what the Government is doing and they are tackling this in the court of law”.
The Permanent Secretary explained that Government is not selling its own properties as it is being speculated in some quarters, stating that they are being given out on a commercial basis where by Government will be getting its share while the business progresses as well as get tax from those that have been privatized.
He called on individuals who dragged the state government to court to sheathe their swords and have a rethink by withdrawing the said litigations to allow the process to continue for the benefit of all and sundry.
