Fpno Rector Inaugurates PPP Unit

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Engr. Dr. Michael Arimanwa FNSE, JP, has inaugurated the Public Private Partnership Unit (PPPU) in the institution, a move that has been variously described as historic.

On ground to witness the event Myschoolnews gathered was a representative of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Amanze Okere, who represented the Director-General of the commission.

In his charge after inaugurating the unit, Rector Arimanwa expressed joy at yet another milestone at the twilight of his administration.

He said, “We are very happy that history has been made today. We had dreamt of an opportunity like this to formally inaugurate this unit that had in the past served as a committee. I am happy that members of the committee had undergone requisite training on their operational procedures.

" I make bold to state that governments across the world provide infrastructure by partnering private concerns. The infrastructure gap in Nigeria is well over Four Trillion Dollars, making it difficult for government alone to bridge the gap. It has become very expedient that we partner private bodies in our resolve to provide world-class infrastructure in our institution.

 “Consequently, we need to have a legal framework so that we shall be able to work in the ambit of the law. To this effect, if this institution wishes to provide infrastructure like a hostel, through partnership with the private sector, the PPP Unit will ensure that the proceedings are conducted in the right manner. I believe there are a lot of things that we can do together with the private sector.”

The high point of the event was the presentation of a lecture by the Dr. Amanze Okere, where he emphasized that a public-private partnership venture offers a country or entity a dependable and sustainable finding option. He also explicated the operational modes of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in mediating a successful partnership between a public corporation and a private entity.

In a vote of thanks, Dr. Adolphus Obi, the pioneer head of the PPP Unit, expressed gratitude to the Rector for actualizing the dream of setting up the unit, pledging to achieve the lofty goals for which the unit was established.