Planned sale of some abandoned Nasarawa state government properties in Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and Lafia as well as in Abuja has generated lots of controversies from within and outside the state. Arguments for and against the sale are both valid. For example those supporting it argue that the state government is not benefiting anything from the properties but rather losing as it continues to pay ground rents on these abandoned assets.
In a letter sent to the state House of Assembly requesting for approval to sell the properties in question, the government outlined reasons why it wanted to take such action. They include, “dilapidation and deteriorating condition of the buildings; high cost of maintenance of the buildings and payment of municipal taxes; squatters’ challenge in all the structures and collection of illegal rent by corrupt and unscrupulous officers who pocket such monies rather remitting them to the state’s coffers; Lagos, Kaduna and Jos no longer serve as federal and regional capitals and so no need for any strong presence in these cities – it is more economical and administratively convenient to maintain a minimal presence in Kaduna and more robust presence in Abuja”
Going by the reasons given above by the state government, one cannot but support it on this action. It is needless reiterating that all the structures in questions are in a dilapidated state just as there was no any reason to argued that those structures were draining the coffers of government in terms of payment of municipal taxes or that such structures were facing serious challenged arising from squatters and illegal collection of rent by unscrupulous officers.
Those that are against the sale of these properties dismiss the reasons offered by the government as a mere smokescreen by Governor Al-makura to perfects his alleged plans of cornering state properties to himself and cronies. They argue that instead of outright sale of these properties government should have considered the option of renting the properties out with stringent conditions.
As observed earlier, both arguments for and against the sale of these properties have their merits and demerits depending on the angle from which you look at them.
On the whole, we in Nasarawa Eye believe that outright sale of these properties would serve the state better in view of the fact that even if these properties were commercialized we may at the end go back to square one as what the government is trying to avoid would still rear its ugly head in that some persons would still cash on the opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the state government. The Lagos property is a classic case in point.
Instead of dissipating energy and time arguing back and forth, we should focus our attention on how the sale of these properties will be undertaken by the government. In other words, we should make sure that all due processes are dully followed in disposing these properties.
We have no reason to doubt the government on the assurances it gave on how it intends to take the path of openness and transparency in carrying out the sale of the properties, but we still want to urge that the people of Nasarawa state should be adequately informed and put in the picture of each and every step of the transaction so as not to give room for people to suspect foul-play in the dealings.
Openness and transparency are the surest way to avoid all unnecessary hoopla over sale of Nasarawa state government properties.
nasarawaeye.com 