FG Vows to Accelerate PPP Delivery, Unveils Six-Point Agenda
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has pledged to expedite the execution of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap and stimulate economic growth.
This commitment was made by the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, during a strategic retreat held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The retreat saw the unveiling of a six-point policy direction to guide the commission’s operations.
Ewalefoh emphasized the critical role of PPPs in addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, aligning his vision with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda. He outlined six key areas of focus for the ICRC: innovative financing, service delivery optimization, project categorization, time-bound project delivery, inter-agency collaboration, and strategic partnerships.
“With the gap that we have in Nigeria, we need PPPs in almost every area,” Ewalefoh said, noting that the focus extends beyond infrastructure construction to optimizing existing assets. He cited the potential of PPPs to transform the healthcare sector through the optimization of general hospitals as an example.
Financing infrastructure emerged as a central theme in the Director-General’s address. He highlighted the importance of innovative financing mechanisms to attract investments and accelerate project delivery. Ewalefoh revealed ongoing discussions with potential investors interested in Nigeria’s PPP landscape.
To streamline processes and enhance efficiency, the ICRC will categorize projects based on specific thresholds, enabling faster decision-making and project execution. The commission is also committed to resolving impediments to project implementation, ensuring that viable and bankable initiatives deliver value for money to the Nigerian people.
Ewalefoh stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration and strategic partnerships in achieving the commission’s goals. He pledged to lead from the front, fostering a culture of faster decision-making and project delivery.
The Director-General assured stakeholders, investors, and the public of the ICRC’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for PPPs to thrive. He emphasized the commission’s role in evaluating existing concession contracts to ensure optimal performance and mutual benefits for both the government and private investors.
With this new policy direction, the ICRC aims to position itself as a catalyst for infrastructure development, economic growth, and improved service delivery in Nigeria.
