FG hails partnership with DFID in infrastructure development
NAN-HE-26
Infrastructure
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016(NAN) The Federal Government has praised the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for partnering it in infrastructure development through the department’s Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NAIF).
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the commendation at the unveiling in Abuja of the NAIF’s Compendium of Achievements as the five-year partnership wound down.
The vice president said one of the key areas of focus of the administration since it came into office in May 2015 was on revitalising the Nigerian economy.
According to him, the support the DFID has provided towards this aim through the NAIF programme has been immeasurable.
“NAIF’s goal to enhance the management of Nigeria’s infrastructure development towards power sector reform, more impactful capital spending, transport, roads, climate change and urban planning and development is aligned with and invaluable to this administration.
“As we all know, infrastructure is critical to spurring the economic growth, reducing poverty and improving live opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
“Improved infrastructure increases job creation, disposable income, security, through equipping Nigerians to tackle the constraints holding back the growth and entrepreneurial spirit of this country.
“It is completely clear to me that accelerated infrastructure development is critical to sustainable growth in Nigeria.
“NAIF has been a unique, strong and close counterpart of the Federal Government of Nigeria for about five years.
“The contributions it has made through its technical expertise have been quick and responsive.’’
Osinbajo added that NAIF had also supported the advisory power team in his office which “is also critical to my role as Chair of the Economic Management Team’’.
He said that as the NAIF programme was ending, the presidency looked forward to working with the next phase and would appreciate DFID’s speedily concluding the process for the successor programme.
The vice president described the event as a celebration of the strong and enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
He said he was pleased to join NAIF in looking back on the projects delivered and the milestones achieved to date “even as we look forward to achieving much more success in the near future”.
He said the publication “records the notable achievements and the lessons learnt across key sectors of Nigerian infrastructure delivered through the partnership between NAIF and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“It is important that as this phase of the programme comes to a close, these lessons are not lost but instead used by stakeholders across sectors to structure delivery that works in Nigeria and for Nigerians’’.
Osinbajo said that NAIF had shown a strong prime focus and flexible relationship with many of the key ministries, departments and agencies of the government.
He said that its efforts at extolling bold development across the Federal Government were evident in both infrastructure development and capacity building.
“NAIF upholds our administration’s emphasis on monitoring and evaluation towards a more transparent and effective government that provides increased benefits for its citizens.
“We assure our friends in DFID that we continue to appreciate our partnership with them which allows us to deliver change for ordinary Nigerians across all of our partnership areas,’’ he added.
The Managing Director of NIAF, Mr Mark Tomlinson, said the organisation assisted the government and some states in some programmes aimed at delivering infrastructure to the citizenry.
He said there was massive opportunity for benefit in the partnership as Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa with fantastic financial sector and massive human resources.
“There is a wealth of economic opportunities in this country; the question is how the leadership can unlock them in a way that development can happen and Nigerians see it as tangible in their lives.
“There are challenges of course but with perseverance, resources and the will of Nigerians they will be overcome,’’ he said.
The managing director said that reforms were not easy anywhere in the world, noting that UK also had challenges with its power sector in the past.
“Within these reforms, Nigeria is far ahead and the question is making the right adjustments.”
He said Private Public Partnership would be needed to get the remaining infrastructure in place in the country.
Prof. Chidi Onyia, the Power Sector Team Leader of NIAF, told newsmen that the body had explained to the Federal Government the need for substantial investment in the power sector.
According to him, over the years capital appropriation to the sector had been low and not released in full, leading to the non-completion of power projects.
He said the problem had heavy impact on the transmission capacity of the country, adding that the focus was on how to address the transmission capacity to boost output by 650 megawatts.
Onyia noted that more gas and solar plants were springing up in the country but the capacity to wheel it was not there yet.
“What we are doing is working simultaneously with the government and guiding them with technical capacity on the transmission end to push these projects through,’’ he added.
Onyia suggested concessioning the transmission infrastructure because the Federal Government might not be able to inject resources to move it to the desired level soon. (NAN)
DCU/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman