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Tag: public-private partnership

  • FG targets food sufficiency through Public-Private Partnership – Idris

    FG targets food sufficiency through Public-Private Partnership – Idris

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that the federal government is working closely with state governments and the private sector to scale up investments in agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

    The Minister, according to a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrhim disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to a state-of-the-art Tilapia Fish Farm operated by Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited in New Bussa as well as the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone in Amfani, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Rimi; and a representative of the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ugochukwu Akagaogu.

    Idris, the statement said, described the creation of the Federal Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy and Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as visionary steps aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for private sector participation and reducing the importation of fish and dairy products into the country.

    “Since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has taken deliberate steps, including the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which oversees over 800 kilometres of coastline and inland waterways suitable for aquaculture. Coupled with the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, it is evident that the President recognises food security as key to national sovereignty,” the Minister stated.

    He commended the efforts of Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited and the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, stating that their success demonstrates the immense potential of collaboration among the Federal Government, sub-national entities, and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s food production goals.

    Idris further echoed President Tinubu’s recent commitment in Brazil to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks hampering the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

    He praised Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited for choosing to invest in the hatching and rearing of Tilapia — one of Nigeria’s most consumed fish varieties, which is currently being imported in large quantities. He said the venture will help reduce fish importation, create direct and indirect jobs, and offer sustainable solutions to youth unemployment.

    “We have been informed that current production stands at 1,000 metric tonnes, with plans to double this to 2,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year, and to scale up to 5,000 metric tonnes within four years,” he said.

    During a tour of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, the Minister expressed his admiration for the scope and ambition of the project, urging both local and foreign investors to take advantage of the infrastructure being developed.

    Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator Enoh, lauded the promoters of the two projects, describing them as aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

    “A lot of incredible effort has been put by the managements of the Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited as well as the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone and I think government has to be commended first, for finding it proper to grant the licenses for the Free Trade Zone and therefore, I think that the only way we can achieve Mr. President’s objectives and goals in terms of industrialization, is with the effort of private investors,” he said.

    He emphasised that expanding local production and processing will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and help conserve foreign exchange. He noted that the Bank of Industry was established to support such industrial efforts, hence the presence of the Bank’s representative on the visit.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, Dr. Abdulmalik Ndagi, explained that the Zone is designed to provide industrial, residential, and commercial infrastructure to attract and retain investors in Nigeria.

    He listed the infrastructure under development to include two power substations, recreational facilities around the lake, a golf course, a polo field, a racetrack, an airport, a train station, a university, world-class hospitals, and more.

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    Dr. Ndagi disclosed that about ₦30 billion has already been invested in the Free Trade Zone, and appealed to the Bank of Industry for a ₦10 billion intervention facility to accelerate the implementation of subsequent project phases.

    Similarly, the Managing Director of Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited, Mr. Sa’adu Baloni, stated that the company is committed to enhancing the social and economic well-being of both the host community and the nation.

    He revealed that the company has made a substantial investment in the fish farm and is looking forward to the support of the Bank of Industry to scale up production.

  • FG inaugurates inter-ministerial committee to monitor public-private partnership compliance

    FG inaugurates inter-ministerial committee to monitor public-private partnership compliance

    The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to draft comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

    The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, inaugurated the committee in Abuja yesterday.

    The committee, chaired by Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, is expected to submit its final report within three months.

    Other members include representatives from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and key directorates within the Federal Ministry of Education.

    Their terms of reference include reviewing existing frameworks, drafting clear guidelines, defining roles, and proposing measurable key performance indicators for PPP projects.

    Alausa said the move was a strategic effort to attract private sector funding and improve infrastructure across all tiers of education, especially in neglected community colleges.

    The minister noted that the initiative would not only enhance transparency in PPP arrangements but also ensure that the education sector benefits from sustainable private investment.

    Alausa stated, “We have to leverage private sector funding to help improve, modernise, advance, and sustain our educational system. From tertiary institutions to federal community colleges, the need for infrastructural investment is urgent.

    “Some of these schools are so overcrowded and dilapidated, they don’t even have access to light or water. That’s why President Ntabola’s budgetary intervention is commendable, but clearly not enough.”

    He added that the new committee would also be responsible for setting up a standardised oversight mechanism to monitor compliance by private partners and ensure project delivery timelines are met.

    He said, “We can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results. That’s why this committee will not just draft guidelines but also recommend a reporting framework and penalties for default. It’s time we brought structure and accountability to PPPs in education. We want a model that other ministries can replicate.”

    The minister emphasised that the oversight body will include key departmental heads from the Ministry, such as the Directors of Legal, Procurement, and Education Departments, who will be tasked with tracking the progress of each PPP initiative and reporting directly to the ministry.

    Speaking on behalf of the committee, Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, commended the Minister for his commitment to lasting reforms in education.

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    “I commend and appreciate the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, for his insight and firm belief in transforming education. This PPP initiative will go a long way in addressing the infrastructural challenges plaguing our schools. It’s not just a policy, it’s a new beginning,” she said.

    She also acknowledged the cost-intensive nature of quality education and the need for all stakeholders to rally behind the government’s efforts.

    She said, “Education is one of the most expensive enterprises anywhere in the world, yet we often leave it entirely to the government.

    “But with this kind of leadership, I believe we can turn things around. Your passion is evident. You’ve taken the bull by the horns, and if you ask me, I’d say eight years in office wouldn’t even be enough.”

  • Fed Govt to audit public-private partnership projects

    Fed Govt to audit public-private partnership projects

    …set to enforce insurance compliance

    The federal government plans to conduct an audit of all Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects across Nigeria.

    The aim is to evaluate their performance and ensure full compliance with statutory insurance requirements as mandated by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Establishment Act, 2005.

    The director-general of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, made this disclosure during his courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday.

    A statement from the ICRC signed by Ifeanyi Nwoko, Acting Head, Media and Publicity said: Dr. Ewalefoh assured the Minister that the ICRC is committed to evaluating all existing PPP projects to optimise their performance. He emphasized that the audit process is not intended to terminate any contracts but rather to enhance the efficiency of these partnerships in alignment with the nation’s goals.

    “We are already putting mechanisms in place to audit the performance of PPP agreements that were signed in the past. This audit is not aimed at condemning or terminating them but to optimize them in the interest of the nation,” Dr. Ewalefoh stated.

    The ICRC’s audit process will involve assessing the overall contribution of PPPs to national development, particularly in infrastructure delivery, and addressing any issues that may hinder their success.

    Another critical area highlighted by the ICRC DG was the enforcement of insurance policies for all national assets under PPP arrangements.

    Dr. Ewalefoh reiterated that both hard and soft infrastructure assets managed under PPPs are required by law to be insured.

    “Under the law, all national assets, both hard and soft infrastructure, that are concessioned through PPP must be insured. We are already looking into this and will soon issue a directive mandating the insurance of all assets under PPPs to ensure compliance,” he added.

    This move aims to protect government assets and investments, ensuring that any damages or losses are adequately covered under insurance policies.

    In response to the Minister’s request for enhanced PPP capacity within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Dr. Ewalefoh assured that the ICRC is working to train PPP desk officers. This initiative, he said, is already underway through the ICRC’s training institute.

    He encouraged the Ministry of Interior to continue adopting PPP models to meet its infrastructure needs, while also seeking clarifications from the ICRC when necessary.

    Dr. Ewalefoh commended the Minister of Interior for his leadership in utilizing PPPs to deliver key infrastructure needs. He noted that under Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s tenure, the Ministry of Interior had submitted the highest number of PPP projects for approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in the past year.

    “From the record of the Commission, the total amount of investment that has come into this ministry in your time as Minister is over $500 million. We cannot thank you enough for being a champion of PPPs,” the DG stated, praising the Minister’s proactive approach to optimizing stalled PPP projects for improved performance and revenue generation.

    Read Also: Public-Private Partnerships needed to achieve development goals – FG

    The ICRC director-general also used the opportunity to reassure investors that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to respecting the sanctity of PPP contracts. He highlighted that no PPP agreements under the ICRC’s purview have been cancelled since the new government took office.

    “We want to reassure the world and investors that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu respects the sanctity of contracts. No signed PPP contract under the ICRC has been cancelled, showing that investors’ investments are safe,” Dr. Ewalefoh emphasised.

    In his address, Minister Tunji-Ojo noted the Ministry’s plans to make key agencies under its purview self-reliant, reducing their dependence on the federal budget.

    “We believe that many of our agencies should operate off-budget, and we are working towards that goal. With limited government resources and a growing population of 230 million people, we must innovate in terms of financing,” the Minister said.

    He explained that the Ministry had already leveraged private sector resources to deliver major infrastructure projects, citing the success of PPPs in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

    Projects such as the data centre, e-gates, the Advanced Passenger Information System, and the near completion of the Gap Management System are examples of successful PPPs.

    Minister Tunji-Ojo affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuing its collaboration with the ICRC to ensure the success of PPP projects. He acknowledged the Commission’s role in providing technical expertise and ensuring that the Ministry’s PPP initiatives are well-structured and functional.

    “We appreciate the ICRC for its technical input in fine-tuning our projects. We will continue to work closely with the Commission to push Nigeria toward realizing its full potential,” the Minister concluded.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, also congratulated Dr. Ewalefoh on his appointment, commending the Minister for his dedication to leveraging PPPs to deliver infrastructure projects and relieve the strain on government resources.

    The federal government’s commitment to auditing PPP projects, ensuring insurance compliance, and leveraging private-sector resources for infrastructure development represents a strategic shift toward optimizing national assets.

    With the ICRC’s active role in fostering PPPs, the administration’s support of investor confidence, and the Ministry of Interior’s innovative approach to financing, Nigeria is poised to see improved infrastructure delivery and economic growth.

    The coming audit and new insurance directives will ensure that PPP projects meet their full potential, ultimately benefiting the Nigerian economy and its citizens.