Enugu Acquires Nigerian Coal Corporation properties

Posted by African Examiner Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines Thursday, November 21st, 2013

Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

Enugu State Government has formally taken over the two properties of the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC), it purchased from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) under the Federal Government privatization of the landed properties of the Corporation.

Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime

The two properties are the Headquarters of the Corporation located along Okpara Avenue and the Colliery Hospital all in Enugu the State Capital.

High point of the ceremony which took place inside the Conference Hall of the Governors’ Office was the signing of both the deed of assignment and certificate of handover by Governor Chime and the Director General of Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki and the official handover to the Governor by the latter.

Speaking shortly after receiving the documents on behalf of the State Government, Chime described the event as historic, adding that the Colliery Hospital after renovation would be dedicated for Motherb and Child health care services.

The Governor explained that the acquisition of the hospital became very necessary to make up the inadequacies of medical facilities and boost what government was doing in the health sector of the state economy.

He also stated that it would help reduce the pressure on Park Lane Specialist Hospital and other health institution in the state which are now over stretched with patients.

On the privatization of the four coal blocks located in Enugu, Governor Chime said that there are credible investors in the state who are interested in procuring and mining the coal for the benefit of the people and the State, especially in the government proposed coal powered electricity generation.

He commended the Management of the Bureau for their good works and assured that government will take good care of the property and improve on their present state of affairs.

Earlier in his address for the official handover of the properties, the Director General of the Bureau, Mr. Dikki had commended the Governor for the support and encouragement to them, adding that the sale of the properties was part of the privatization of the landed properties of the corporation and its Coal block located in the state.

Mr. Dikki stated that the privatization of the corporation which started in 2007 seeks to handover those coal blocks to credible investors that would invest money and expertise to mine the coal blocks to create jobs and boost the economy of the state and Nigeria in general.

He told the Governor that other commercial building of the corporation and Briquette plants have been sold and that the sale of its residential house will commence as soon as they were able to resolve issues with the host community.

The Director General said that the sale of the Oji plantation was suspended because of issues with the host community and appealed to the Governor to assist them to ensure amicable resolve of the issues.

At the end of the ceremony, the Governor inaugurated a seven member committee drawn from BPE and official of the state government headed by the secretary to the State Government, Mr. Amechi Okolo to meet with the host communities with a view to resolving the issues.