PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Ahead of the 34 industries slated for privitazation and to ensure greater participation by Cross Riverians, the state governor, Ben Ayade has extended by two months, the referendum which seeks to gauge the opinion of indigenes of the state on whether industries constructed by his administration should be privatized or not.
Governor Ayade gave the extension order when the Technical Team of the Privatization Council presented their report on the 34 industries to be privatized by the concil in order to achieve optimal output.
Speaking after the presentation, Governor Ayade said there was no room for lapses, stressing that his reason for extending the exercise by two months was to create opportunity for more people to participate in the exercise.
Although not a requirement of the Privatization Law, Ayade insists on a referendum to ensure the government is on the same page with the people regarding the future of the industries.
His words: ” You must return to the streets, local government areas, creeks and riverine communities, our people must be properly carried along. If we truly need their contributions, then we must do it with all sincerity and professionalism.
“I cannot take a decision based on what you have given me because the opinion is based on that of a few people, more Cross Riverians must be given the opportunity, more field responses must be taken, more people must participate in the referendum exercise.
“We are ready to put in more money to ensure you increase campaign and awareness on the streets, in the markets as well as all the communities and local government arrear. There must be effective public awareness.
“I am not playing politics with this. We should not be in a haste to get it right. I need to hear what the people want. If they say they don’t want privatisation, after my tenure I will pack my bags and walk away.”
According to Ayade, “The 2001 privatisation law gives me the authority to call up private investors myself but I said no and I decided that we do the right thing which is to actively involve the people and get their opinion. That is what we must do.
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