BPE Seeks NLC’s Collaboration on Privatisation

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has solicited the collaboration of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the ongoing reforms and privatisation programme of the federal hovernment.

Acting BPE. Director General, Mr. Ignatius O. Ayewoh, made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajqero.

The BPE Head, Public Communications,

Amina Tukur Othman, revealed in a statement that Ayewoh emphasised the importance of collaboration with the labour unions to ensure the welfare of workers during and after government agency reforms.

He expressed gratitude to Ajero and the NLC for their past support and urged them to continue partnering with the Bureau, particularly as members of the Technical Committee (TC) of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

Highlighting BPE’s previous successes in various sectors of the Nigerian economy such as telecoms, banking, Eleme Petrochemical, and port terminal concessions, Ayewoh stated that the agency’s current strategy is focused on implementing public-private partnership (PPP) and concessioning in its transactions.

He stressed that the BPE was working closely with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure the payment of all outstanding severance liabilities arising from the 2013 privatisation of the power sector, in accordance with agreements made with labour unions.

In response, Ajero thanked the Ag. DG for the visit and pledged the collaboration of the NLC with the Bureau in its reform activities.

In 2023, the BPE, along with other sister agencies, conducted a verification exercise for the payment of the agreed 16-month severance benefits to former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), including certified next-of-Kin (NoK) of deceased ex-staff.

The exercise took place in twelve designated centers over four phases across the country.