ABUJA – The Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Emeka Ezeh, on Thursday in Abuja said that Public Private Partnership (PPP) was vital in addressing the country’s huge infrastructure gap.
Ezeh made the assertion in a presentation at a roundtable on infrastructure delivery organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
He said that infrastructure was the bedrock of every nation, adding that for Nigeria to grow economically, it should provide long term solution to its infrastructure problems.
“We need to build strong infrastructure without any compromise for it to work. We cannot keep building and repairing the same roads over and over again.
“For the country to progress from where it is economic wise, we must put in place the right infrastructure in the transport, agriculture, ICT, mining and housing sectors,” he said.
Ezeh said that because of the key role PPP played in development, the Federal Government had recognised that govrnments and the private sectors should collaborate to fulfil the infrastructure master plans.
The BPP boss said there was the need to reform some provisions of the nation’s laws such as the Ports and Harbour Bill, The National Transport Commission Bill and National Inland Waterways Bill among others for PPP to thrive.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Aminu Diko, said the provision of basic infrastructure would boost job creation and reduce poverty.
“Every one per cent of government funds spent on physical infrastructure leads to an equivalent growth in Gross Development Product of the country.
“This invariably means that there is a strong correlation between infrastructure delivery and economic transformation.
“It represents a major opportunity for us to join hands with the private sector, through PPP to make lasting improvements,” he said.
Aminu said the Federal Government deserved commendation for privatising the generation and distribution of power.
He described the move as a major leap in bridging the infrastructure gap.
The Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, in his address of welcome said the importance of infrastructure development could not be over emphasised.
He said that synergy with relevant stakeholders was important as dearth of infrastructure remained a challenge to the nation’s drive for local and international investors. (NAN) [eap_ad_3]
