Privatization of gas, solid minerals, others will continue – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Washington DC, United States, assured
that his administration will not go back on the ongoing privatization programme in
the country.
Stressing that the government will embark on the exercise with improved moral
architecture, the President said the privatization programme will be expanded to
include other areas such as aviation, telecommunication, energy, gas, solid mineral,
health and infrastructural development.

He spoke during a business forum organized by the U.S Chamber of Commerce and
the Corporate Council on Africa.
Buhari also challenged American Investors to take advantage of the liberal trade and
investment climate to do profitable businesses in Nigeria.
He said: “It is my intention to create the necessary environment for future investment
in Nigeria. We are the most populous nation with largest market in Africa with vast
human and natural resources and blessed with abundant young and skilled workforce
“We are therefore a proud candidate to become the destination of choice for United
States’ investments in Africa.
“I work assiduously to welcome new investors to ur country. I will like to remind you
all that we are continuing in major privatization programme with sectors ranging from
telecommunication, energy, gas, solid minerals, aviation, health and infrastructural
development, but with improved moral architecture.
“We will also simplify visa procedures based on principle of reciprocity. May I
therefore, seize this opportunity to formally invite the American business community
to take advantage of our liberal trade and investment climate to do profitable
business in Nigeria.”
He went on: “While I recognize the pivotal role of government in facilitating and
promoting economic growth, the private sector must assume an increasing role as
part of the engine of growth.
“We will welcome genuine investors who are willing to come to Nigeria for solid
mineral exploitation.”
His administration, Buhari said, would fulfill its key campaign promises which
included creation of employment opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths.
“Generating employment was one of my key campaign promises. I will do my best
to keep this promise.
“There is no other way to expand economic opportunities and create employment
opportunities for millions of our youths than boosting domestic manufacturing,
undertaking infrastructural development and industrialization.
“Let me repeat, Nigeria will partner with genuine investors who are willing to join us
to achieve our economic objective and at the same time realize handsome returns to
recoup their investments
“There is more to Nigeria than oil. This is why I will continue to stress the need for
increased United States investments in our non-oil sector.
“In this respect the present administration will be attentive to the needs of the
business community and pursue policy that will strengthen the sectors that drive the
growth,” the President added.

Source : The Nation