Collaboration crucial to achieving effective PPPs – FG, States

The Federal Government along with states have agreed that collaboration was the only way to achieve effective and efficient infrastructure development across Nigeria using Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

This was the outcome of the 2nd Joint Meeting of the Public Private Partnership Units’ Consultative Forum (3PUCF) and the Nigerian Public Private Partnership Network (NPPPN).

The 3PUCF is a forum of heads of PPP Units in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, while the NPPPN under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is a network of PPP Agencies in states.

The two-day event which was organized by the two-day event was organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission(ICRC).

two-day event was organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), and had as its theme: ‘Using PPP to Actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda in Nigeria’s Infrastructure Delivery.’

Speaking at the event, Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of Kwara, and Chairman of NGF, said that it was only when government agencies collaborate within and between themselves that they can efficiently address the infrastructure gap in Nigeria.

Abdulrazaq, represented by Abdulateef Shittu, Director-General, NGF said that there was a 100 billion dollars infrastructure deficit at the subnational level.

“Overall, at the federal and state levels, we have over 200 billion dollars in infrastructure deficit, and because the government cannot foot the bills alone, we need collaboration from the private sector,” he said.

According to Abdulrazaq, there are challenges such as financing gaps, but they must be addressed collectively to foster investors’ confidence so PPPs can thrive.

“The private and public sectors, together with development partners must seize this opportunity to examine best practices, identify challenges and develop concrete solutions in implementing PPP projects,” he said.

He said that the theme of the meeting was timely and relevant because citizens were looking up to the government to provide the infrastructure needed for economic growth, job creation and improved quality of life.

“At the heart of the renewed hope agenda is the desire to improve the lives of Nigerians by creating jobs and access to quality service, and building an economy that works for all.

“Infrastructure, as the backbone of the vision and the PPPs, offers the unique opportunity to mobilise resources and expertise towards realising this,” he said.

Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Director-General of ICRC, also stressed the need for collaborative efforts to scale up the infrastructure gap in the country.

Ewalefoh said that the forum was aimed at seeing how the agencies had been faring in terms of PPPs.

“At this forum, we rub minds and get feedback from various agencies on strategies to move our country in terms of infrastructure development.

“We will see how we can professionalise this platform. We will work closer with the agencies and the governors’ forum to achieve this.

“We just put heads together to have an integrated national approach, both at the national and subnational level,” he said.

Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Edun, represented by Mrs Lola Uket, Director of Technical Service in the ministry, said that leveraging PPPs to achieve the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda could not be overemphasised.

According to him, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is estimated at 100 billion dollars, PPPs can help bridge this gap by attracting 20 billion dollars in private investment annually.

“Through effective collaboration, we can accelerate the delivery of essential projects in energy, transportation, healthcare, education, and other sectors critical to our nation’s development.

“With PPPs, the government aims to increase agricultural productivity by 20 per cent over the next three years.

“Nigeria has a renewable energy potential of over 200,000 MW, our target is to harness at least 20 per cent of this potential by 2030,” he said.

Edun said that Nigeria’s literacy rate was currently 62 per cent, adding that with PPPs the aim was to increase it to 75 per cent by 2028.

“Presently, the non-oil sector contributes 90 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP; our goal is to increase this contribution to 95 per cent by 2030,” the minister said.

He, therefore, urged participants to commit to fostering a conducive environment for PPPs through transparent policies, strong legal and regulatory framework and synergy among stakeholders.

Mrs Dadi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Chairman of the Forum, reaffirmed her commitment to creating a collaborative platform where public and private stakeholders could align their interests.

Walson-Jack, represented by Mrs Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary, Career Services, said that the forum would address challenges and craft innovative solutions.

“This will help accelerate the delivery of key infrastructure projects in the country to improve the quality of life for citizens,” she said.

The post Collaboration crucial to achieving effective PPPs – FG, States appeared first on Vanguard News.