PPP Unit Consultative Forum

Abuja, March 3, 2016.  The Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Aminu Diko said the current administration has created favourable environment for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive in the country.

Diko, who was represented by Mr Chidi Izuwah, Executive Director, PPP Resource Department, ICRC said this on Thursday in Abuja at the 2016 first quarter, PPP unit consultative forum.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PPP Unit Consultative Forum is organised by ICRC every quarter to provide a knowledge and experience sharing platform for Heads of PPP in Federal agencies.

Diko urged government agencies to key into the mantra of change by adopting PPP as the fastest route to bridge infrastructure gap in the country.

“PPP is not only an option to bridge this gap but a chance to prove to the world that Nigeria is ready for business and that the change agenda of this administration has created an atmosphere for sustainable investment.

“This underscores the invaluable power of partnerships in strategic infrastructure delivery and national advancement.

“I implore you all to help move our nation forward towards the infrastructure-sufficient Nigeria of our dreams with good roads, efficient inter-modal transportation and flawless power supply among others.

“Partnerships via PPPs can accomplish all this in Nigeria, as it has happened in Malaysia, Philippines, India and South Africa,” he said.

Diko used the opportunity to canvass that a budget line item be created for PPP units in the national budget to support their operations especially with respect to project development funding.

Meanwhile the Business Development Manager, TAV Airports, Turkey, Mr. Faith Omur spoke on his company’s experience with PPP projects around the world and lessons for Nigeria.

He said his company have designed, constructed and managed the operations of airports in over 14 countries including Turkey, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Libya.

Omur said drawing on their experience so far, the key to a successful PPP is one with a clear and concise terms of agreement with legislative backing.

He said only an agreement that is clear and transparent could meet its goal and be lucrative to both parties.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria