Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, has emphasized the commitment of the Federal Government to fully utilize the Public Private Partnership (PPP) to drive the economy faster.
Speaking at a workshop on Public-Private Partnerships in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector in Abuja, Nicholas Ella said that the Public-Private Migration Policy launched in 2012, has been crucial in addressing critical infrastructure deficits in the country.
The workshop with the theme: “Sustainable Future for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Concepts, Opportunities, and Challenges of PPP Initiatives,” provided a platform for exploring ways to leverage PPPs for national development.
Nicholas Ella noted that the 2012 policy initiative was introduced to utilize private sector expertise, financial resources, and technical capabilities in delivering infrastructure projects critical to Nigeria’s growth.
“The Public-Private Migration Policy emerged when the Federal Government of Nigeria recognized that it could no longer bear the full financial burden of providing the infrastructure necessary for the country’s economic growth. To sustain progress, the collaboration between the private sector and government through PPPs was deemed critical.”
The Permanent Secretary said that the policy is aimed at creating a framework where private sector investments and expertise are applied to sectors such as energy and health to enable projects that enhance economic productivity and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
According to him, PPP framework remained the cornerstone of sustainable development in Nigeria, even as he called for increased stakeholders engagement to optimise private sector contributions in addressing infrastructure challenges.
“The administration of private sector finances and expertise, in collaboration with government efforts, ensures the efficient delivery of critical projects. This synergy has been instrumental in enabling the development of vital sectors, including oil, gas, and health.”
