Vision Pays Sh62m

By Geoffrey KamaliTHE New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation yesterday paid its last batch of sh62m in dividends to the government up to the year 2001. This brings the total amount of money paid in dividends to the government to sh266m this year. The payment put the corporation up to date on its commitment to government.Robert Kabushenga, The New Vision corporation secretary, handed over a cheque to the privatisation minister, Prof. Peter Kasenene, at a short ceremony at the Privatisation Unit (PU) offices in Kampala.Kasenene praised the paper and its sister rural papers for the positive growth trends. He said The New Vision was under Class 2 category of firms to be divested. This means the government would retain majority shares (51%) when the company is divested, he said.“It’s (cheque) not so big but is shows we are not putting in more money to subsidise the company. We encourage you to continue,” he said.The minister said the shares would be offered for sale to company employees and the public on the stock exchange but only after due consultation. He advised workers to remain calm.“Tell the workers not to be uneasy. We have not yet completed the work plan but we’ll do everything after consultation with all stakeholders,” he explained.Others at the ceremony included the corporation’s chief accountant, Zubair Musoke, the chief internal auditor, Gervase Ndyanabo, PU officials, Vincent Kaheeru, Emmanuel Nyirinkindi and Grace Achire.Kabushenga said the company was committed to giving the best services and would ensure consistent growth “so that shareholders can get the best out of their investments.”He said the company would present another cheque by the end of the financial year ending June 2002.Ends