Forum calls for transparency in executing PPP projects

Development experts in Lagos State have tasked governments on the need to be transparent when embarking on projects, aside making it people-oriented.

At a stakeholders’ forum by Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development (CESD), in collaboration with Center for Public Policy Alternatives (CPPA), organised to discuss the viability of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria, participants said PPP remains the potent tool to fast-track development in a society.

The convener of the initiative, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode, noted that for any nation to witness any meaningful development, the major route to take is PPP.

“Development and infrastructure can only be scaled up when both the private sector and government go into partnership, which is what PPP offers. With this forum, we want to sensitise the public, as well as educate ourselves on the way to go. At the end, we want both government and other stakeholders to have fully buy into the genuine culture of PPP. It is sad that today, many government institutions; both at the state and federal level, have almost turned it to slogan to further deceive Nigerians when they are not committed to the real ideal of PPP. We are trying to create a platform where we will all learn the basics to fully understand the concept of PPP.”

A director in the State Ministry of Works, Engineer Nurudeen Sodehinde, who spoke extensively on the state’s approach to infrastructural development, especially as it concerns PPP, pointed out that the concept is cumbersome more than people imagine and that the state government always considers the interest of all when it comes to PPP.

He cited the example of the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge, which he said has not been embarked upon because of the huge plan it required.