A socio-cultural group, the Igbonine Great People’s Assembly Worldwide, has called on the Enugu State Government to provide clarity on its plans for the concession and management of some state-owned assets.
In a press statement signed by its National President, Dr. Ugochukwu Nnajiofor, the group expressed concern over reports that assets including the Enugu State Water Corporation, the Lagos Liaison Office, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and the state-owned radio station are being considered for concession, sale or private partnership.
The group said it was seeking public explanation on the process, valuation and long-term benefit of the arrangements to residents of the state.
According to the statement, the group referenced previous concessions in the state, including the Nike Lake Resort, Presidential Hotel, and the Enugu International Airport, and raised questions about what it described as the pace of the current exercise.
The statement also raised concerns about the bidding process for some of the assets. The group alleged that bidding notices were published with short timelines, including instances of 48-hour and 73-hour windows, and questioned whether such timelines would allow for broad participation by interested investors, including business owners from Enugu.
On the water sector, the group asked for updates on the state government’s water supply promises and the current status of the Water Corporation. It sought clarification on how water affordability would be protected if private investment is introduced into the sector, noting that water remains an essential public service.
The group further questioned the use of public funds in renovating facilities that are reportedly being prepared for private management, particularly referencing the stadium, where it claimed renovation work is ongoing while shop owners have been affected. It asked the government to clarify the funding structure under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The statement also touched on the state of some government-supported enterprises, including NigerGas and the Flour Mill project, and called for more information on their operational status and job creation impact.
The Igbonine Great People’s Assembly said it was not opposed to Public-Private Partnerships or private investment in principle, but stressed that such arrangements should be transparent, competitive and in the public interest.
It called on the state government to publish full details of the concession plans, including the valuation of assets, identities of preferred bidders where applicable, projected revenue to the state, and regulatory safeguards to protect public interest and pricing, especially for essential services like water.
The group also appealed to political leaders, traditional institutions and civil society organisations in the state to engage on the issue and ensure that public assets are managed in accordance with due process and the law.
As at the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Government has not issued an official response to the specific issues raised in the statement. Efforts to obtain a reaction are ongoing.
The group concluded by calling for open dialogue between the government and residents of Enugu on the future of state-owned assets.