Wanainchi should buy shares
SIR — On August 15, I read with interest the story that the Government intends to invite the private sector to finance the construction of the Kenya-Uganda petroleum pipeline.
SIR — On August 15, I read with interest the story that the Government intends to invite the private sector to finance the construction of the Kenya-Uganda petroleum pipeline.
It is said in the article that since the Government failed to raise the equity shares it may have to negotiate with the private sector for the latter to pay the Government’s interest or the Government may have to cede its interest to the private sector.
I applaud Government for considering private sector participation in this venture. However, I suggest that it goes further than that — float the shares on the Uganda Stock Exchange so that even the small investors can participate in this historic scheme. I urge the government to do likewise with the shares it is slated to acquire in the oil scheme in western Uganda. There is no better way to realise the ‘Bonna Bagagawale’ dream than allowing ordinary folk to own shares in economic development projects.
The KenGen offering in Nairobi is a good example of what wanainchi can do given the opportunity.
Henry Mukasa
hmukasa@masshousing.com.
It is said in the article that since the Government failed to raise the equity shares it may have to negotiate with the private sector for the latter to pay the Government’s interest or the Government may have to cede its interest to the private sector.
I applaud Government for considering private sector participation in this venture. However, I suggest that it goes further than that — float the shares on the Uganda Stock Exchange so that even the small investors can participate in this historic scheme. I urge the government to do likewise with the shares it is slated to acquire in the oil scheme in western Uganda. There is no better way to realise the ‘Bonna Bagagawale’ dream than allowing ordinary folk to own shares in economic development projects.
The KenGen offering in Nairobi is a good example of what wanainchi can do given the opportunity.
Henry Mukasa
hmukasa@masshousing.com.