17 February 2016, Abuja – The outgoing Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, has appealed to the federal government to pass into law the Reform Bills initiated by the privatisation agency to boost the Nigerian economy amid dwindling revenue from oil.
Dikki stated this in Abuja during the formal hand over ceremony to the most senior officer in the agency, Dr. Vincent Akpotaire, who takes charge in acting capacity in line with the federal government’s directive for all the chief executives of the federal government agencies who were relieved of their appointments on Monday.
Dikki stressed that the passage of the bills especially the railways, transport and road bills would boost the Nigerian economy and bring about the expected change for Nigerians in line with the change mantra of the present administration.
He further argued for the concession of the Nigerian Airports and the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to open up the Nigerian economy for private sector participation.
The outgoing DG also called for urgent privatisation of the refineries, saying that the option of Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) had been a distraction over the years, adding that government cannot afford to waste resources at this critical time the economy is faced with.
He, however, appealed on the management and staff of the BPE to put aside their differences and unite for the good of the organisation, thanking them for their support and prayers which enabled the agency to register noticeable achievements during his tenure.
He said: “My wish is that you all strive to be united, no matter the differences of opinion, so that BPE can be stable and maintain its rightful place as a credible organization. We should not give our detractors the ammunition to deal with us,” he stated.
While noting that it is not possible to please everyone in the cause of discharging his duties as the DG, he appealed for forgiveness from those “I may have offended as it was not intentional. I also bear no grudge against anybody.”
However, Akpotaire, in his response, promised to build on the legacies and initiatives of the outgoing DG.
In a statement by BPE spokesman, Mr. Alex Okoh, the new acting DG also extolled Dikki’s qualities and drive for the reforms and privatization programme of the federal government which he executed with zeal, especially the power transaction which was adjudged the world’s best and the guided liquidation of NITEL/MTEL.
Akpotaire also appealed to his colleagues to ensure a seamless transition to continue the reforms and privatisation programme with the desired team spirit, noting that the management has an obligation to bequeath to the nation and the younger generation of staff, a virile and world class institution which the BPE represents.
In an atmosphere of conviviality, management staff, one after the other, extolled the qualities and leadership virtues of the out-going DG and wished him well in his future endeavours, the statement added.
- This Day