Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Kabiru Gaya,

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Global Infrastructure Hub (GiHub) have pledged to deepen infrastructure delivery in Nigeria and the African region.

The organisations disclosed this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the GiHub Public Private Partnership (PPP) Risk Allocation and Contract Management Tool workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mr Chidi Izuwah, ICRC’s Acting Director-General, commended the GiHub for hosting the workshop in Nigeria.

Izuwah said: ”We appreciate that this is the first roll-out workshop and we thank you for having confidence in Nigeria and the ICRC. We (ICRC and Nigerians) believe we have the capacity and competence to host a Pan African Infrastructure delivery centre of excellence as part of the ICRC Infrastructure Academy that we are currently putting in place.”

The ICRC boss assured that the commission would ensure a bright infrastructure future for Nigeria through PPP project delivery.

In his remark, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for enhancing infrastructure provision in the country.

While saying that the budget for infrastructure had increased to over N500 billion, Gaya urged for more collaboration of the private sector to ensure development of infrastructure in the country.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Senate to the delivery of critical infrastructure to the citizens.

Mr Sani Daura, Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, said the House and Senate were glad to be associated with the giant stride of the government in promoting PPP in the country.

He said: ”We are proud to be associated with the giant stride of this government in promoting PPP in the country as a viable procurement alternative to public sector funding on critical infrastructure.

“We are ready to partner with the executive through the enactment of laws that will ensure success of this project.”

Mrs Morag Baird, Senior Manager, GiHub, said that the investment gap to meet infrastructural needs in Nigeria and other African countries is huge.

“The gap of what is forecast and what is in current trends and what needs to be spent is 3.3 trillion dollars of which over 400billion is in Nigeria alone. Two projects are needed to close the infrastructure gap, to improve efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure investment and to increase infrastructure investment in PPP. I look forward to a continued partnership with Nigeria and the ICRC”.

“A well-targeted and effective infrastructure delivery is essential for meeting the basic needs of people, for achieving the sustainable development goals and in promoting inclusive economic growth.”

(NAN)