Chime Advises BPE on Coal Blocks’ Operators

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/chime-advises-bpe-on-coal-blocks-operators/165214/

The Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Chime, has urged the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to ensure that the investors that acquire the remaining four coal blocks of the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC), when advertised, are investors with the requisite technical and financial wherewithal to operate the blocks.

He gave the advice at the official handover of the Headquarters of the NCC and the Colliery Hospital to the purchasers, the Enugu State Government.
Chime noted that the acquisition of the headquarters of the NCC by the state government was significant given the role of coal in the development of the State. He said coal is dear to the state; hence the state capital derived its nickname (Coal City) from coal.

Chime further noted that the acquisition of the hospital by the state government became necessary due to paucity of medical facilities in the state, adding that the acquisition will go a long way in improving healthcare delivery in the state. He announced that the hospital, when refurbished would be dedicated solely to the care for mothers and children.

Earlier in his speech, the Director General of the BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, announced that the Bureau was finalising arrangements with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and other stakeholders to commence the privatisation of the remaining four coal blocks.

He added: “We hope to soon grant concessions of these coal blocks to credible investors.”He assured that “the privatisation programme seeks to handover these coal blocks to credible investors that will invest money and expertise to mine these coal blocks to create employment and bolster the economic fortunes of Enugu state in particular and Nigeria in general.”

According to him, the sale of the two properties to the state government was part of the privatisation of non-core assets of NCC, many of which are located in Enugu State.
The DG thanked the Governor for the support and encouragement he had given to the Bureau in the course of carrying out the reform and privatisation programme of the federal government.