By Zubairu Idris
Katsina Government has organised a workshop to strengthen institutional capacity for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) towards addressing infrastructure deficits and improve service delivery.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, which aims to harness the PPPs’ potentials was organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA).
The workshop with the theme: “Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Public Private Partnership” drew senior government officials as participants.
Declaring open the two-day workshop on Wednesday in Katsina, the State Dep. Gov. Faruk Lawal-Jobe, said that public-private partnerships have emerged globally as a practical solution for addressing development challenges.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Alhaji Mannir Aliyu, the deputy governor said that: “In Katsina State, where resources are limited and the demand for infrastructure is vast, PPPs offer an innovative way to bridge the gap.
“This workshop aligns with the Katsina State Action for Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) and our commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business, creating an environment conducive for investors.”
As Chairman of the State on Ease of Doing Business Council, the deputy governor emphasised the importance of institutional capacity for successful PPPs.
“To attract credible private sector partnerships, we must uphold transparency, accountability, and competence throughout the project lifecycle.
“This workshop is designed to empower participants with the skills needed to manage PPP projects effectively, from project appraisal to contract negotiation and monitoring.
“To ensure sustainability of PPP projects in the state, the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency Law was sometime last year amended to incorporate PPP provisions,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General, KIPA, Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur-Jikamshi, said that public-private partnerships represent a powerful tool for economic growth, infrastructure development and service delivery.
He said that the objective of the workshop was to build capacity of staff in MDAs and prepare them for the PPP.
Tukur-Jikamshi said that the PPP would assist the government to save funds that could be used for other purposes.
“They enable us to harness the expertise, efficiency, and innovation of the private sector while ensuring that our public objectives are met,” he said.
The D-G assured that government was committed to creating an enabling environment that would encourage investment, fosters partnership, and ultimately benefit the communities.
He said: “We have embarked on a journey to deepen our understanding of PPPs, explore best practices, and equip ourselves with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of these partnerships.
“Let us work together to build a brighter future for our state through effective and innovative public-private partnerships”.