The move to investigate PPPs was sequel to the House resolution in February.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The House of Representatives has summoned the chief executive officers of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, and Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) over the management of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and concessions since 1999.
The House’s joint Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties summoned the CEOs during an investigative hearing on PPPs and concessions in Abuja.
Also summoned are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Ministry of Agriculture, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).
Others include the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN) Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) among others.
The lead chairman of the investigative hearing, Rep. Ademorin Kuye, said the invitation became necessary given the need to meticulously evaluate the performance of PPP programmes and concession agreements.
He added that this had been instrumental to the infrastructural landscape of Nigeria since 1999.
Kuye said that “PPPs initiatives and concession agreements were envisioned as beacons of innovation and efficiency, adding that it was aimed at propelling Nigeria to new heights of development for global competitiveness.
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According to him, they promised not just roads, bridges, buildings, power, transportation, aviation, resources and solid minerals, but education, energy, mineral framework for sustainable growth and public welfare.
“It is our responsibility and mandate to ascertain the extent to which they have honoured their promises, followed due process, laid down terms of operation and charted a course for their optimisation,” he said.
He restated the government’s commitment to ensure that public assets and public–private partnerships operate within the frameworks of integrity and deliver value to every Nigerian.
He said, “We are not here to cast aspirations but to foster a climate of improvement.”
According to him, the investigation will cover the gamut of sectors impacted by these PPPs from the bustling transport hubs to the power plants, oil and gas, aviation, agriculture etc.
The move to investigate PPPs was sequel to the House resolution in February.