The Nigerian Economic Society (NES) on Monday opposed the sale of some of the country’s national assets, stating that the decision of the government does not make economic sense in the face of the current economic challenges.
It faulted the argument put forward by the government that the sale would be used to fund the budget, arguing that the sale of the nation’s assets would further widen the level of income inequality in the country.
The approach being adopted by the government as “generationally irresponsible” since it would widen the level of inequality in the country.
The President of NES, Prof Ben Aigbokan, stated this while speaking during a chat with journalists on the forthcoming national conference of the society, described the planned sale as “generationally irresponsible.”
The conference scheduled to commence on Tuesday had as its theme “The developmental state and diversification of the Nigerian economy.”
He lamented that it was ironic that when the government is pursuing a diversification agenda which is expected to be anchored on balanced growth, critical assets are being planned to be sold.
He argued that if previous administrations had sold the assets that they met when they took over government, the current administration would not have met any asset to dispose of.
He said rather than selling the nation’s assets, they should be preserved and managed in a way that the future generations would be proud of.
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