Comatose state of privatised company worries Bureau of Public Enterprises

Mr Alex Okoh, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has described as worrisome the comatose state of Nigerdock Nigeria Plc.

Okoh said this in a statement signed by the Head, Public Communications, BPE, Mr Chukwumah Nwokoh on Thursday in Abuja.

The director-general said this when he received a report of the BPE/Nigerdock Joint Committee on the resolution of outstanding issues in the company.

Okoh said the worrisome state of the company led to the decision to set up the joint committee to look into the issues militating against its operations.

He regretted that the company which was capable of employing about 6,000 Nigerians off the labour market and boosting the Nigerian local content policy, had only about 500 employees, thus negating the core essence of privatisation.

Okoh assured the board and management of the company that the bureau was committed to the full realisation of the potential of the integrated engineering and Fabrication Company.

According to him, the necessary frame work will be put in place to ensure that the company is patronised locally since it has the capability to deliver on its mandate.

“We shall look closely at all the issues militating against the smooth operation of Nigerdock.

“Patronage should not be denied the company because it has the capability to deliver.

“We should do everything possible to ensure that the company assumes its pride of place,’’ he said.

Okoh also said that the report would be carefully studied and its recommendations channeled to the appropriate authorities for action.

Earlier, a director of the company, Gen. Ibrahim Haruna (rtd) pledged the commitment of the board to collaborate with the bureau to ensure that the company was revitalised and realises its potential.

He said the company, apart from its core functions, was capable of conducting research for the Navy and Army if fully supported by the government.

Haruna, however, called for openness, integrity and transparency, while expressing the hope that it was achievable considering the company’s synergy with BPE.