Public Private Partnership has been described as a vital tool in addressing the country’s huge infrastructure gap.
Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada made the remarks at the World Bank sponsored workshops on Public Private Partnership, held in Lokoja.
Capt Wada described the use of PPP as a win – win situation for government and the private sector, as the infrastructure gap created offers tremendous opportunities to the private sectors to invest in various aspects of infrastructural development while the government serves as facilitator.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said having realized the importance of co-operation between the Government and the private sector, the PPP law has been passed with the process of establishing a PPP bureau in the state, adding that a PPP agency would soon be in place soon in the State.
When established, Kogi PPP Bureau according to the governor would be a one stop business centre for Public Private Partnership, devoid of frustrating bureaucratic delays as well as facilitate co-ordination between project initiating Ministries, Agencies of Government and private investors.
Capt Wada described Kogi State as a State strategically and centrally located, with unique opportunities for investment, said the present administration is eager to open new vistas of investment opportunities to private sectors.
In a welcome remarks, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Chairman, Governing Board of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, described infrastructure as the backbone that drives National Economic Development and the efficiency with which goods and people are moved.
Sen. Nnamani, represented by Musa Elayo, maintained that the nation can only rise to great economic height and prosperity through developing infrastructure via Public Private Partnership.
The Chairman commended the Capt Wada led administration from promoting and adopting PPP procurement for bridging the funding of infrastructure gap in Kogi State.
Also speaking Chaltoire Thomas, representative of India Development and Finance Corporation, said the workshop is a knowledge sharing workshop for participants to share from the similar history of India, a country that is experiencing a huge reduction in poverty, and increase in growth and development in infrastructures, using the Public Private Partnership model.
Mr. Thomas described Kogi State as a State richly blessed, called for the liberalization of the economy, using PPP, to improve critical infrastructures in improving the living standard of the people.
In a remarks, Abdul Adama, Special Adviser to the State Governor on PPP, said the workshop would help build capacities, and enhance institutional strength and capacity of the State PPP.
